Toothpick thief scores a big one

[scratchballs]

By Joanna Seow

After two years of talks, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has agreed to open its doors for a union to offer membership to its workers.

The nod from the integrated resort was described as "a significant breakthrough" by the Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union (AREU), which had taken steps that could have forced the issue with the holding of a secret ballot among the workers.

But it did not come to that, said AREU and MBS yesterday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The terms of the agreement, however, do not provide for collective bargaining and negotiations over salary.

What nonsense. First World country and workers cannot organise themselves into unions. Give millions to Lim Swee Say and Lim Boon Heng for them to attend parties and functions.

 

[IamTiong]

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) - A group of Las Vegas fast-food workers joined a nationwide strike Thursday, calling for what they called a "living wage" and the right to form a union.

The group dubbed "Fight for 15," referencing their demand of a wage of $15 per hour, said the walkout of local fast-food chains was planned as part of the formation of a union.

"I've been struggling to make rent and bills," said Salvador Hernandez, a McDonald's employee who participated in the protest Thursday morning. "I'm a college student. I'm not getting enough to pay for tuition, and those expenses."

The workers claimed they are being underpaid and essentially are unable to support their families on their wages, while the fast-food industry generates about $200 billion a year.

"McDonald's makes a lot of money, and that's because of the workers," Hernandez said. "They don't pay us well. That's what we're out here for."

However, in a statement to FOX5, McDonald's said the picture being painted by the protesters is not an accurate one, and that the restaurants remain open.

"McDonald's aims to offer competitive pay and benefits to our employees," the restaurant chain said in the statement. "We provide training and professional development for all of those who wish to take advantage of those opportunities."

The company said its history is filled with examples of people who took their first job at the restaurant and went on to successful careers inside and outside the company.

Workers at McDonald's, KFC, Taco Bell, Subway and Carl's Jr. are expected to participate in the protest. The group is expected to be joined by ProgressNow Nevada Action and Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.

The group said protests are planned in front of two McDonald's restaurants and a KFC location.

The walkout came after several similar events in seven U.S. cities earlier in the summer.

Copyright 2013 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.

By Joanna Seow

After two years of talks, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has agreed to open its doors for a union to offer membership to its workers.

The nod from the integrated resort was described as "a significant breakthrough" by the Attractions, Resorts and Entertainment Union (AREU), which had taken steps that could have forced the issue with the holding of a secret ballot among the workers.

But it did not come to that, said AREU and MBS yesterday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The terms of the agreement, however, do not provide for collective bargaining and negotiations over salary.

What nonsense. First World country and workers cannot organise themselves into unions. Give millions to Lim Swee Say and Lim Boon Heng for them to attend parties and functions.

 

[laksaboy]

What a load of bullshit. Unions simply do not exist in Singapore. They did once upon a time, but a certain petty-minded despot came along and destroyed them, as he had done with independent newspapers which did not toe the line.

Do any of these so-called unions have the power to call for a spontaneous strike?

 

[Poomer]

What a load of bullshit. Unions simply do not exist in Singapore. They did once upon a time, but a certain petty-minded despot came along and destroyed them, as he had done with independent newspapers which did not toe the line.

Do any of these so-called unions have the power to call for a spontaneous strike?

Our unions are a sham. It's just another tool wielded by the PAP to control the Singaporean people. They do not fight for better pay for the workers, they do not fight for better conditions for workers, they do not fight for more laws to protect workers, they do not protect Singaporean jobs. Sure, they will disagree and proudly show what they have done, like a $50 pay rise for security guards after more than a decade of stagnating pay. Or show how they have helped retrenched workers get compensation when the companies refused to pay out, when in the first place they should have lobbied for stronger labour laws to prevent such loopholes from forming. NTUC is led by a minister, yet it seems that the minister is more interested in serving the government's interests than helping the workers. The only thing they are good at is running insurance companies and supermarkets.

 

[Asterix]

Our unions are a sham. It's just another tool wielded by the PAP to control the Singaporean people. They do not fight for better pay for the workers, they do not fight for better conditions for workers, they do not fight for more laws to protect workers, they do not protect Singaporean jobs. ... ... ...

Sadly that's the truth. We need genuine unions.

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
But the union makes us strong.

It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade;
Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid;
Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made;
But the union makes us strong.

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.

(to be continued … … …)

 

[Asterix]

Having spent so much effort turning real unions into fake ones
Lightning ain’t gonna give up so easily
If you want to have what workers of other countries have
Then you just got to do the necessary
As shown in the pictures from long time ago in this video

[video=youtube;9g1IArAW5Dk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g1IArAW5Dk[/video]

 

[Asterix]

Tripartite whatever is a sham
We need and demand
Genuine unions not fake ones
Same song another version

[video=youtube;l8xtIRLKVcs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8xtIRLKVcs[/video]

 

[kingrant]

This surely is the MOTHER OF ALL WAYANGS!!

 

[Scrooball (clone)]

The terms of the agreement, however, do not provide for collective bargaining and negotiations over salary.

Union that cannot negotiate salary? Isn't that like tonychat without balls?