REPRESENTATIONS FROM GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (Secret ballot on union representation)

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether he has received any representations from the Singapore Federation of Unions of Government Employees requesting a secret ballot among all Government employees other than teachers, senior officers and daily-rated personnel, with a view to ascertaining whether the majority wish to be represented by unions affiliated to the Federation or to the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees; and (b) what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, Sir, a secret ballot of employees is usually taken where an employer refuses to accept an invitation to negotiate on grounds that he does not recognise the union. Where there are two or more unions claiming representation for the same group of employees and the matter cannot be resolved in any other way, a secret ballot can then be taken with the consent of the unions concerned. The Singapore Government has carried on and is carrying on negotiations with the unions affiliated to the Singapore Federation of Unions of Government Employees. No question of recognition therefore arises. A secret ballot on which union is to represent which grade of employees does not, therefore, arise.

Mr David Marshall: Sir, would the Minister agree that rivalry between these two unions for membership of Government employees is unhealthy? For the unification of the trade union movement in the civil service, does he not consider it appropriate to accede to the request of the Federation?

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is rivalry not only between unions affiliated to the Federation, hut also between member unions of the Federation themselves. For instance, a stenographer employed in the Broadcasting Division of the Ministry of Culture is eligible for membership and can be represented by one of three unions - the Singapore Government Administrative and Clerical Services Union, the Singapore Secretarial Staff Union, and the Department of Broadcasting Employees' Union. I think in these matters, Sir, it is best to leave questions of representation and negotiations to the employees and their unions.

Mr David Marshall: If it please you, Mr Speaker, could I have a reply to my question? It is this: Does the Minister not consider that it would be helpful to the unification of the trade union movement in the civil service if he were to accede to the request of the Federation for a secret ballot to see whether A.U.P.E. or the Federation should have the membership?

Dr Goh Keng Swee: I do not think a secret ballot will solve anything. One of the requests of the Federation is that if they should win the secret ballot, then they ask the Government to require the A.U.P.E. to amend its rules so that they would not be able to recruit Government employees. This same request was made by the Federation of City Council Labour Unions during the last strike, and we pointed out quite clearly to them that it is not within the power of the Government to require any union to amend its laws in the way that the Government thinks fit. Therefore, whether or not a secret ballot is carried out, whether or not the Government recognises one union or the other, the unions concerned will continue to exist, will continue to recruit members, and will continue to compete with each other.

The Prime Minister: The problem only rises when we refuse recognition.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: The problem arises only, when as I have mentioned before, we refuse recognition to a particular union.