Do unions go out of their way to screw workers?

There is a reason why unions are formed - to protect workers' interests.

So why should a union go out of its way to collude with management and screw workers? There's just no logic in that.

Just because the labour movement is headed by a cabinet minister does not automatically mean it has no heart for workers. Sure we have all our considerations to be mindful of, but we are still guided by what is universally right and wrong.

In 2011, 159 trade disputes were brought up by unions for conciliation at MOM, up from 121 cases the year before. That is 2 disputes every 5 days! If unions do not care for workers, and have in fact, been screwing workers, we would not have even bothered to have disputes with management in the first place.

And mind you, these were disputes that were escalated to MOM. What about the hundreds of disputes that unions had resolved at company level (not necessarily amicably but always professionally) after numerous representations and negotiations?

Yes folks, unions don't just offer you rebates at Fairprice or give you Linkpoints. We actually do fight for workers' rights.

That is our core business. And that will never change.

calling faith

i left the meeting feeling sad, and a tad disillusioned. i've always thought that this group of leaders were different, and have held them to a higher standard of behaviour and ethics. that plus the fact that they're a group of educators - they're all lecturers for god's sake!

so the blatant lying, fabrications of truth and bullheadedness displayed was shocking, and definitely unwelcome. my mind was reeling as the meeting went along. do i call their bluff, or do i play along? what the heck should i do??

i stayed to the very end, and listened to every word.

at the end, when there was only 5 of them left, i gave my 'speech'. it felt like i was lecturing my parents, which was NOT a good feeling.

i really hope things get better.

and that my (missing) faith (in the system, in what i'm doing) gets back to me.