1981
The Union introduced a novel incentive scheme in some Collective Agreements to stabilize rising wages in SOS Collective Agreements and to motivate our members to work for longer periods with same employers.
The SOS referred its dispute with Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on the implementation of 1981 NWC Recommendations to the Industrial Arbitration Court.
The IAC ruled in favour of the SOS and made it clear to all shipping companies in Singapore that they had to negotiate on the implementation of NWC recommendations with the SOS after they had recognised it as the Union representing their seamen.
SOS and the National Maritime Board introduced the Group Insurance Scheme for Singapore seamen.
1982
A total of 145 vessels and 2,500 members were covered under SOS Collective Agreements.
"Stormy years, ahead," warned late Mr Abdul Karim A Zaini, then SOS General Secretary, at the 4th Triennial General Meeting. "A declining world trade and worldwide economic slowdown would impinge upon maritime industry".
The "Pacific Viking", a Singapore registered ship was detained by the Seamen's Union of Australia (SUA). The NTUC, SOS and SMOU launched a boycott action against Australia to protest strongly against the action. The ship was released by SUA after 17 days under detention.
1983
Recession hit the shipping
industry. Many Singapore seamen were unemployed
as fewer ships were sailing. Singapore seamen
also faced increasing competition from foreign
seamen, who were willing to work for much lower
wages.
SOS secured a permanent
employment scheme for its members serving on
ships managed by Neptune Shipmanagement Services
Pte Ltd.
1984
Maersk Company Pte Ltd was the
next to offer a permanent employment scheme.
Under the scheme, all permanently employed
seamen, after exhausting their earned leave and
medical leave, would receive full wages during
their standby period. Study leave to upgrade
skills was also given.
A special
committee was set up to evaluate Singapore
seamen’s employment prospects.
1985
To help employers reduce their wage costs, Union announced that it would :
- forgo the NWC recommendations for increases for its members wage
- agree to freeze the annual increments of crew serving on board ships covered by SOS CA.
The Union moved its office from the NTUC Trade Union House Annexe at Shenton Way to its own premises at #05-01, Midlink Plaza, Middle Road in July 1985.
SOS, together with SMOU & NMB jointly started Video Information Services for seafarers serving on board Singapore flag vessels.
1986
A Special Committee set up to study the viability of creating employment for displaced seamen made these recommendations :
- Set up a job placement unit to channel shore jobs to displaced seamen
- Organise Basic Education in Skills Training (BEST) programmes for unemployed seamen willing to undergo re-training for shore jobs
- Set up a Special Training Committee
- Set aside $500,000 to help finance members' training and re-training
1987
The SOS Job Placement Unit registered more than 100 unemployed seamen seeking shore jobs. The Unit also sponsored 85 unemployed seamen for cargo handling and forklift operating courses.
The membership of Union was in decline. The major contributory factor was primarily because of an overall decrease in the number of of Singapore registered seamen
1988
SOS signed a CA with the Danish Shipowners Association paving the way for Singapore seamen to work on ships registered in the Danish International Register.
The Union also concluded a special foreign flag agreement with Neptune Shipmanagement Services Pte Ltd to cover Singapore seamen working on board foreign "Flag of Convenience" vessels under Neptune Management
1989
SOS and SMOU with the help of NTUC presented facts and figures to convince ITF that the Singapore flag was no longer a "Flag of Convenience", Singapore was declared by the ITF a non "Flag of Convenience" on 1st January 1989.
SOS/SMOU jointly hosted a four-day ITF Manning and Training Committee Meeting at the NTUC Pasir Ris Resort. Twenty two Union officials from 14 countries attended the meeting.
The scope of SOS Training Grants was widened to enable members to pursue educational courses in other fields beside seafaring.
SOS Constitution was amended to enable members who ceased to be registered seamen, to become participating members of the Union.
1990
The ITF, SOS and SMOU jointly sponsored the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare (ICSW) Seminar in February 1990 at the NTUC Pasir Ris Resort. The Seminar promoted co-operation among various Welfare Organisations in the Region.
The Tripartite Committee set
up by the National Maritime Board at SOS's
request has accepted some of the following SOS's suggestions:
- NMB should continue the current practice of requiring an employer to conduct selection of Singapore seamen at NMB's office and extend the minimum notice for applying for exemption from 48 hours to four days;
- To impose a higher exemption fee and stiffer conditions for exempting employment of foreign seamen;
- Work permits and levies should be introduced for foreign seamen serving on board Singapore flag vessels, including vessels operating within port limits;
- More incentives should be given to shipowners flying Singapore flag to employ Singapore seamen; and
- A detailed plan and strategy should be devised to upgrade the existing pool of seamen to secure employment for them on board modern high-tech vessels.
Union membership reached a record low of 2265 in December 1990.
|
