Lee Kuan Yew: Unionist At Heart

"I began my political life by representing trade unions. I was a young legal assistant at the firm of Laycock & Ong, and the postmen were about to go on strike. I was asked to look after them. They went on strike. For two weeks, the union ding-donged in the press against the Commissioner for Posts representing the Colonial government on the merits of their case. I drafted their statements. Public sentiments swung towards the unions, and the Colonial government had to give way: higher wages and better terms and conditions of service, removal of thick printed red stripes on their trousers making them look like circus attendants. Because the union won, I was next briefed by the clerical union of Post & Telegraphs for their demands, which went to arbitration. Again the union won."

  

“When I fought my first election in 1955, I chose Tanjong Pagar because that was where the postmen were based and also the dock workers.”

"I have maintained my relationship with the unions and, as Prime Minister, I have always been mindful of the interests of the workers and their unions. Hence, we were able to develop the tripartite relationship and the National Wages Council with the advice of Dr Albert Winsemius, the Dutch Adviser the UNDP sent to help us. On his own, he came back year after year because he approved of, and was attracted by our practical approach to problems."

Excerpts from Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's May Day Rally speech in 1960:

May Day 1960 will always be a notable occasion in the history of the trade union movement of Singapore. For this is the first time that May Day is celebrated in Singapore when there is a government which is openly on the worker's side. The PAP said clearly before and during the elections that a PAP Government is a Government on the side of the workers.

......To be a good and effective trade union leader is no longer a
matter simply of getting the workers to unite and fight the employer. And if the employer refuses to settle, then to squat and suffer collectively at the factory gate and hope to make the employer's business also suffer until he settles or closes down.

Let me leave you this guiding principle: Never take any direct industrial action without first consulting the Trade Union Congress and the Ministry of Labour and Law to find out if there is any other way of solving the problem, and if not, whether you are in the right from, not just your point of view, but also from the country's point of view. For the State must protect your rice bowl, your friend's rice bowl and also that of your children. Let us in this spirit of mutual confidence and strength march forward with steadfastness and strength for the benefit of all our people.