Find Singapore.Net Forum Index » Singapore Issues » I am 55......... Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next    View previous topic :: View next topic  Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 9:50 pm patgoh Moderator   Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 3620 Location: Singapore perrin99 wrote: Nice recollection, Mr Lai. I would like to hear more about your experiences at the Dockyard, especially wrt the unions there. Were you part of a union then? Unfortunately you started work there too late to experience the exciting politics there. If you feel uneasy about writing here. drop me a mail at lkshisATgmail.com Hi perrin99, Welcome to our forum. Care to share your experiences here ? Patgoh Site Admin Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 10:03 am perrin99 New Member   Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 16 Thanks, admin. I'm not that old ;) Just doing some research on the unions and thought maybe Mr Lai can help with his recollections. Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 2:35 pm Lai CF Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2601 Location: Singapore perrin99 wrote: Nice recollection, Mr Lai. I would like to hear more about your experiences at the Dockyard, especially wrt the unions there. Were you part of a union then? Unfortunately you started work there too late to experience the exciting politics there. If you feel uneasy about writing here. drop me a mail at lkshisATgmail.com Hi Perrin99, Welcome here. No, thread is to let all those young punks here to know they had it easy...no holds barred, I will bare all...... During HM Naval Base time, apprentices like me knew nothing about unions and there was no mention of it all...........zilch....as if there is a total ban of speaking about unions in HM Dockyard. We were all teenagers then, we knew nothing about labor unions or politics, as if we were all cocooned up. My father worked in HM Dockyard, and he did not even mentioned anything at all about labor unions. But I do recalled an incident. It was in the late 50's and a general strike was called. A Chinese union activist visited our home and advised politely to my father not to work. During the strike, group of apprentices walked to work along Kowloon Road (where we stayed then in worker quarters). They stayed in a group for self-protection as physical violence to strike-breakers were very real then. Can't recalled correctly, but my father lasted about a week or two, running out of cash, and had to sneak in at about 2 or 3am to work (working hours were 7am to 4pm and 7am to 11am on Sat.) In 1968, when Swan Hunter took over the management and HM Dockyard became Sembawang Shipyard, a labor unionist, named Peter Vincent, was appointed tot ake charge of Sembawang SHipyard labor union. Noted that he was appointed and was not elected at all by the workers. I can safely said that none of those blue-collared workers knew anything about labor unions, there just get on with their work and leave all those labor union stuffs...they couldn't careless, only worry about still having a job even during those days in the 60's. They were all docile workers, not a political bone in then, apathy ruled the day.....and accept whatever imposed upon tehm from the "top". Like my father, those workers at that time were scared stiff of losing theri job.....and when Sembawang Shipyard imposed a rotating 3-shift working system, they were no protest, just fatalism. And yes, apprentices like me were not alowed to join union...I think there was a ruling you must be over-21 or indentured apprentices are exempted from union memberships...and of course, we were happy as not to pay the "mandatory" annual memebership deduction. Now, recalled at that time, virtually all the Chinese were chiense-educated and virtually all of them hardly knew a word of English. Those that knew a smattering are promoted to chargehand, foreman and supervisor. And of course, all those union stuff, which all the average CHinese workers avoided like plague, and it was dominated by English-speaking and English-educated Indians. For your info, the first HR Dircetor at Sembawang Shipyard was rumored to be an ex-director of CPIB. Another incident happened (and reported in ST) in the 70's where The Management decided to implement a scheme that all apprentices were to wear a prison-like ORANGE colored overall...as that time apprentices were ill-disciplined and notorious shirkers and always disappered from their assigned workplace. A group of them shaved their heads and protested against it. Funnily enough, I met the ring-leader in 1985 in London. He had settled down in England, married and doing very well in the North Sea oil business. (We met one Saturday at London High Commission and discovered we were fellow apprentice.) Racial incident? My father told me that there were racial clashes between CHinese and Indians in the 50's within HM Dockyard. It was all covered up and nor reported at all. Well, sorry can't be much help as we apprentices, and the Chinese workers at that time, were completely shielded from the labor union movement. Parents were tight-lipped, and politics and labor union stuff were never never discussed at home and avoided. I think that is why 2nd generation is politically apathetic. cheers, Perrin99, don't be afraid to ask about anything..and I will do my best to reply as much as possible. I think there is still an Old HM DOckyard Apprentice Assoicaiton somewhere at Maxwell Road WHitehouse....and that ex-journalist Knutty is the President...perhaps, you can try that venue as well. _________________ AT the end of it all....wu wei Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 3:28 pm perrin99 New Member   Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 16 Thanks for sharing Mr Lai. I think you are quite right about the divide between the English-educated Indians and the Chinese workers. If I may ask, what about your father - was he English-educated? Does/did he have anything to say about the Singapore Harbour Board unions? Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 3:46 pm Lai CF Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2601 Location: Singapore perrin99 wrote: Thanks for sharing Mr Lai. I think you are quite right about the divide between the English-educated Indians and the Chinese workers. If I may ask, what about your father - was he English-educated? Does/did he have anything to say about the Singapore Harbour Board unions? No, Perrin99, my father was of peasant stock and hardly knew a word of English... He was extremely secretive and was involved with some kind of CHinese associations or something..who attended his funerals..but never discussed at home. My mother told me that at one time, he got to change his name to avoid some of them. No, we did not heard of any Singapore Harbor Board unions.....another secretive organisation.... _________________ AT the end of it all....wu wei Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 3:56 pm Lai CF Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2601 Location: Singapore lazybum wrote: U term that once a nation without natural resouce it growth will be constraints but I beg different, countries like swiss/finland/sweden do not had any natural resources and to make things worst, they ppl are also not more than us by a lot. It is their ability to build by their industris that bring them to this state now. Unlike singapore, most local biz are kill of by MMC and GLC which prevent them any chances to grow. This is the policy and Vision that are set up which is killing us off. I read a statement written in the other forums "Today problem is yesterday solution" it is due to the fact that they are unable to forseen what is going to happen that cause our downfall. If the era of LKY had start to build our SMC into MMC, by now we will have many well known industries around the world that can substained us for the next 50 years. Singapore is a smallish city-state, never a country like Finland or Sweden,..hence our limitation to growth. it was teh Old Guards Vision in 1978 that drove SIngapore to what it si today. And it was the abysmal failure of PM Goh that lost us a decade that failed to drive us ahead of our competitors by growing two external wings. The greatest failure was to belief that academic-brilliant merituous scholares and bureaucrats can drive GLC to become regional giants and then global giants. It was PM Goh that lost us that decade to grow our GLC into regional giants to build up a virtuous cycle of self-sustaining internal economical growth,independent of MNC. Even in the 80's, MM recognised this problem and was trying to workout a solution, which to our sorrows, so reflected his belief of planned capitalism, meritocracy, eugneics that led us this ruinuous path of bureaucrats being entrepreneurs due to their brilliant academic performances. And worse of all, continue to follow by PM Goh, without an ounce of initiative on his path to reverse gear, admit failures,..instead keep fixing and patching up a broken down and out-of-date model. Well, PAP Governemnt said it was DPM Lee who masterminded "SIngapore Economy Restructuring" that pulled SIngapore out of the mid-80's Recession. Then, come ND Rally Speech, it is nice to hear as to his Vision and Economy Masterplan that will pull SIngapore out of its present doldrums adn restored morale and confidence to the demoralising Populace. _________________ AT the end of it all....wu wei Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:25 am patgoh Moderator   Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 3620 Location: Singapore Hi, Since this posting by Mr Lai CF was being mentioned or quoted by some other forums or blogs, i think it is necessary to push it up for other new forumers to read. patgoh Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 12:57 am sae_0203 Princess Ambrosia   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2398 Location: NE, Singapore its his bday... Lai click here and for a yr already... his real life story touches us and I guess its better than my previous history class. For his job well done, here?s a for panx2. Happy Birthday _________________ Out of cluster, we can find simplicity and, in the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:13 pm VoiceOfReason New Member   Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 15 To Netizen Lai who's turning 56 this week, many happy returns. May I also say Thank You for bringing us all for a walk back memory lane with your story that must have struck a chord and brought a tear to many an eye! You are indeed a true Singapore warrior! A Big Thank You also for all here who have extended their warm welcome to me as a new member of this forum. Cheers! _________________ Life Is But A Dream... Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:13 pm patgoh Moderator   Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 3620 Location: Singapore So fast, a year has past. Your posting is popular for 1 year already. Do you have anything like "I m 56" to post ? ............. Beer for you : patgoh Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:36 pm conqueror Gold Member   Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 356 Location: Queenstown (west most) Like I have said before, CEOs don't really care about us. _________________ To Eliminate Adversary Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:57 pm patgoh Moderator   Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 3620 Location: Singapore conqueror wrote: Like I have said before, CEOs don't really care about us. Hi conqueror, Nice to see you back. Busy conquering ? Where are you conquering now ? patgoh Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:52 pm Lai CF Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2601 Location: Singapore Hi all, Thanks for the good wishes......and my next project is ont eh PAP Manifesto 1954 and compare to present day. cheers all, extremely busy over here and will catch up with you lots when I am back in Singapore in June... _________________ AT the end of it all....wu wei Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:57 pm alpha Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 1902 Location: Utopia Last edited by alpha on Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:59 am; edited 1 time in total _________________ Insight comes from the realisation that observation is going on without an observer, witnessing without a witness. Need to stay low for a while. Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:22 pm conqueror Gold Member   Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 356 Location: Queenstown (west most) patgoh wrote: conqueror wrote: Like I have said before, CEOs don't really care about us. Hi conqueror, Nice to see you back. Busy conquering ? Where are you conquering now ? patgoh Conqueror need to stay low for a while to get into His good book without too much bickering. He has a say in politics too. He's the maker of kings. Conqueror has other problems to address. And I need Him to pave a way out and see my victory. Thanks for the big "WELCOME". Not sure whether Arsenal will get the cup. _________________ To Eliminate Adversary Re: Need to stay low for a while. Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:21 pm Lai CF Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2601 Location: Singapore conqueror wrote: patgoh wrote: conqueror wrote: Like I have said before, CEOs don't really care about us. Hi conqueror, Nice to see you back. Busy conquering ? Where are you conquering now ? patgoh Conqueror need to stay low for a while to get into His good book without too much bickering. He has a say in politics too. He's the maker of kings. Conqueror has other problems to address. And I need Him to pave a way out and see my victory. Thanks for the big "WELCOME". Not sure whether Arsenal will get the cup. KEEP THE FAITH. _________________ AT the end of it all....wu wei Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 1:47 am Lai CF Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2601 Location: Singapore I read too much pessismism and despondence in forums. During this national Day, let's have a head-up and look beyond the shores. In 1966, when I first started working, my salary was S$132pm as an apprentice. In 1971, upon completion of my 5-year apprenticeship, I became a qualified electical fitter,got a triple salary increment, i.e. from 4 cents an hour to 12 cents an hour......added up to a handsome salary of S$210 pm. Graduated fom Singpaore Polytechnic in 1972, qualified as a technician and got a new job as trainee computer engineer, starting pay at S$500 pm. During that time, starting sslary for technciian and engineer were 'fixed" by Government at say, Diploma holder......S$450 pm. SU graduate...S$900pm. Nantah graduateat S$450 pm..if you are lucky enough toget a job as police inspector. Well, during my time, every young chappie aspires to get that magical 4-figure salary. I achieved that in 1976. And the fun started in Booming 80's where you job-hopped with S$500 to S$1,000 incement for every job changes. That is, by 1982, I had reached S$3,500 pm...not bad for a poly grad. There is where I left for UK from 1983 to 1986. And my pay started to stagnant till 1997....where I barely touched 5-figure salary. Got hit by 9/11 in 2001.....and my salary started to head south back to 4-figure. Until I am in Dubai to again, barely touched 5-figure salary again. And my next target is to gross S$200,000per annum and then, S$250,000 per annum. That is, after crossing the S$10,000pm gross salary, I aspire to cross the S$20,000pm and then crosses S$250,000 per annum. And mind you, this is for working for other people; and not starting one's business. Therefor, post-65ers and Millinenial Generation, you need to have a Dream, a Target and must not constraint oneself within the shores of SIngapore. The World is at your doorstep. All you need is to gather sufficient courage to cross that threshold, take a leap in the dark and explore the worlds outside of Singapore. If an oldster like me is still setting target and still have a Dream, then more so for you lots of YOungsters who have lots more of productive life ahead of you than I. C'mon, have a Dream. Who knows, I may reach the status of being CEO for a S$100-milion company for at least 5-years... Then, I can dream of hitting the "BIG ONE", earning S$5-million per annum,and free-rental living in a largish colonial bungalow as well.... Any volunteer to push my wheelchair then?..... C'mon, cheer sup...life is not all that bad... Like matilah_Singapura said: Be Selfish and live your life. Don't worry, be happy. Yesterday is water beneath the Bridge. Today is for Living, You can't control Tomorrow, so, why worry? _________________ AT the end of it all....wu wei Singapore long before your time... or maybe not Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:02 pm alpha Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 1902 Location: Utopia Old Singapore Photos Photos supplied by Uncle Lai; alpha posts here on his behalf: Lai CF: "For those who miss those days when policeman wears shorts......" _________________ Insight comes from the realisation that observation is going on without an observer, witnessing without a witness. Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:05 pm alpha Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 1902 Location: Utopia _________________ Insight comes from the realisation that observation is going on without an observer, witnessing without a witness. Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:09 pm alpha Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 1902 Location: Utopia For the younger crowd: right-click on the pic "Properties" will give you the filename at the end of URL if you have no clue what you're looking at. Cheers! _________________ Insight comes from the realisation that observation is going on without an observer, witnessing without a witness. Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:45 pm jupiter Moderator   Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 5544 Location: Venus Tks Uncle Lai for supplying and alph for posting! _________________ Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:22 pm patgoh Moderator   Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 3620 Location: Singapore Hi alpha, Thanks for the photos. patgoh Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:48 pm szhcornan73 Diamond Member   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 5697 Location: Where do you think you want me to be? It's classic! Thank you [Lai]! Thank you [alpha]! There is a sense of touch to see these old days. alpha wrote: For the younger crowd: right-click on the pic "Properties" will give you the filename at the end of URL if you have no clue what you're looking at. Cheers! Hehe... I'm one of those younger crowd to use the "Properties" ... _________________ Cheers Szhcornan Fair is Foul; Foul is Fair I'm also @ 我听。好歌 sharing nice chinese songs with you. Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:25 am sae_0203 Princess Ambrosia   Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2398 Location: NE, Singapore Wah. i dun even see all these old places in my folk's photo albums. nice nice. especially C.K. Tang wah now bigger and grander. thou the padang still look the same. _________________ Out of cluster, we can find simplicity and, in the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity I am 55.........   Find Singapore.Net Forum Index » Singapore Issues You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum All times are GMT + 8 Hours   Page 4 of 5   Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First  Select a forum Bulletins----------------Announcement/Forumers' Notice BoardChitchat BoxWelcome to Your Forum Current Affairs----------------Singapore IssuesInternational IssuesPersonal EncountersMoney Matters Marketplace Indulgences - Cute, Clucks Clans----------------The Dream Chamber of the Silken KindsTime OutThe BlogAsia Paranormal Investigators Rest & Relax - Of Mind, Body & Soul----------------Food, Foods, FiestaLifestyle & RomanceSports & HobbiesJokes & Lighter MomentsMovies & TV CornerThe Frog and Frigate PubQuote of the dayVideos - Watch & Share Interesting videos here ------------------------ Click Here Consultation & Suggestion----------------Computer Services/InternetFeedback & SuggestionsSpitting Stool