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The fall of the SMBWU in its battle with the PAP government and the NTUC marked the final, inexorable decline of independent unions, ushering in an era of “industrial peace” in the history of Singapore briefly interrupted by the 1986 “legal” strike.
Plucking the Tiger’s Teeth
Singapore underwent a period of rapid economic growth from 1965 to 1979. Except in 1974 and 1975 when growth slowed to 4% due to the oil shock and recession, average growth was 10% over this period. By 1977, direct exports made up 65% of our total manufacturing output. Leading export-oriented industries were electronics, shipbuilding, oil-rig construction and petroleum refining, all involving metal works (source).
In the then economic climate, metal workers unions like the SMBWU must have commanded high bargaining power vis-à-vis the employers. And SMBWU had had considerable success in fighting for workers’ welfare. In 1972, the Industrial Arbitration Court, in arbitrating a dispute between SMBWU and Metal Box, awarded pay increases for 500 workers (“Court award pay rises for Metal Box workers”, The Straits Times, 30 Apr 1972).
But SMBWU’s success was not replicated in 1977. Perhaps the government lost its patience and decided it was time to rein in the union. This was evident in the high-handed manner it dealt with the strike, which arose from disputes between the union and a Metal Box personnel officer.
Throughout the protracted strike, the press, the Labour Ministry, the Parliament, NTUC and its affiliated unions were working seamlessly together to ensure that the strike would end in ignominy.
Within days of the strike, the management of Metal Box swiftly sacked 360 out of the 400 striking workers. Former President Devan Nair, then secretary-general of NTUC, had strong words for the SMBWU and even Metal Box:
- https://singaporearmchaircritic.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/toothless-tiger-national-treasure/
Plucking the Tiger’s Teeth
Singapore underwent a period of rapid economic growth from 1965 to 1979. Except in 1974 and 1975 when growth slowed to 4% due to the oil shock and recession, average growth was 10% over this period. By 1977, direct exports made up 65% of our total manufacturing output. Leading export-oriented industries were electronics, shipbuilding, oil-rig construction and petroleum refining, all involving metal works (source).
In the then economic climate, metal workers unions like the SMBWU must have commanded high bargaining power vis-à-vis the employers. And SMBWU had had considerable success in fighting for workers’ welfare. In 1972, the Industrial Arbitration Court, in arbitrating a dispute between SMBWU and Metal Box, awarded pay increases for 500 workers (“Court award pay rises for Metal Box workers”, The Straits Times, 30 Apr 1972).
But SMBWU’s success was not replicated in 1977. Perhaps the government lost its patience and decided it was time to rein in the union. This was evident in the high-handed manner it dealt with the strike, which arose from disputes between the union and a Metal Box personnel officer.
Throughout the protracted strike, the press, the Labour Ministry, the Parliament, NTUC and its affiliated unions were working seamlessly together to ensure that the strike would end in ignominy.
Within days of the strike, the management of Metal Box swiftly sacked 360 out of the 400 striking workers. Former President Devan Nair, then secretary-general of NTUC, had strong words for the SMBWU and even Metal Box:
- https://singaporearmchaircritic.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/toothless-tiger-national-treasure/
