Ho ho ho, smrt bus drivers go on strike

[An drew]

Why haven't anyone blamed saw piak wah yet? :bsmilie:

I think she preferred locals.

 

[Yutaka Go]

I think she preferred locals.

I think you meant she prefer to pay locals third world wages, you see those guys can't even afford to buy a shirt to attend AD&D :bsmilie:

Anyway, she have quit her job as CEO.

The problem is cause by the "wise guy", who think he can save money by changing the working hours.

On paper, it seem like their wages have increase but the 6 days work week means they have less OT pay.

So the basic pay increase but total pay reduce.

 

[ManWearPants]

If the transport companies raise the starting pay to $2.5-3k on a 5 day work week, will there be enough locals who will take up the job? While I understand the need to reduce operating costs and return value to shareholders. Are the public transport companies in such bad finances that they cannot afford to pay locals to do the job? Even if they have to replace 200 foreign drivers (6 day week) with 250 locals (5 day week), they are likely to pay $4-5 million more in wages per year. If you take away the need to provide accommodations and other costs incurred that comes with hiring foreigners, maybe less. IIRC the 2 transport companies' combine profit for each of the past few years has been more $100 million, closer to $200 mil. By reporting 5-10% lesser profit to raise local employment rate seems like a better solution than to continue to suppress wages and maximize shareholders value at the expense of Singaporean.

While the issue raised by the PRC drivers circle around unfair rewards and standards, there is a bigger issue circling many companies. These companies keep suppressing wages, making jobs unattractive to locals, while continuing to report huge profits to shareholders. IMHO, companies providing public services should seriously look into adjusting from a maximizing profit to a sustainable profit model. Else there will be factions of unhappy foreigners and plenty more emotionless locals.

 

[hanzohattori]

I think she preferred locals.

If the transport companies raise the starting pay to $2.5-3k on a 5 day work week, will there be enough locals who will take up the job? While I understand the need to reduce operating costs and return value to shareholders. Are the public transport companies in such bad finances that they cannot afford to pay locals to do the job? Even if they have to replace 200 foreign drivers (6 day week) with 250 locals (5 day week), they are likely to pay $4-5 million more in wages per year. If you take away the need to provide accommodations and other costs incurred that comes with hiring foreigners, maybe less. IIRC the 2 transport companies' combine profit for each of the past few years has been more $100 million, closer to $200 mil. By reporting 5-10% lesser profit to raise local employment rate seems like a better solution than to continue to suppress wages and maximize shareholders value at the expense of Singaporean.

While the issue raised by the PRC drivers circle around unfair rewards and standards, there is a bigger issue circling many companies. These companies keep suppressing wages, making jobs unattractive to locals, while continuing to report huge profits to shareholders. IMHO, companies providing public services should seriously look into adjusting from a maximizing profit to a sustainable profit model. Else there will be factions of unhappy foreigners and plenty more emotionless locals.

Are you one of them ? They wear pants (only) :bsmilie:
Sounds like a reasonable solution.. and if transportation is deemed as essential service, why aren't they willing to pay more to ensure its availability.

 

[ricohflex]

I think she preferred locals.

SPW is a Malaysian born in KL. A foreigner. From what we observe, she does not have any special qualities that deserve the CEO post of SMRT over and above Singaporean born execs. It did not make sense.

Another case is SIA. When you got so many capable Singaporeans, why hand the CEO post to a young Malaysian chinese foreigner?
It is crazy. Did the value of SIA increase 3-fold when he was in charge? This is our National carrier airline.

 

[An drew]

From what we observe, she does not have any special qualities that deserve ...

I think she could foresee that if she use Chinese Chair Bearers they would go on strike.

 

[ahboy168]

This reminds me of SIA pilots incidents. I would like to see if there is "double standards".

 

[Sion]

One of the things the RPC bus drivers are not happy about is their uniforms.

They feel that the prescribed uniforms do not reflect their importance and status.

I think SMRT should seriously consider this for them:

 

[ManWearPants]

Are you one of them ? They wear pants (only) :bsmilie:
Sounds like a reasonable solution.. and if transportation is deemed as essential service, why aren't they willing to pay more to ensure its availability.

If I am one of them, rest assured that the sedan will fall. I got weak arms.

I think Singapore need to stop tapping foreign markets for certain jobs and recognize that they need to pay the locals more to do it. Don't have to call a bus driver any fanciful names but recognize that they are specialists who need to be given proper monetary recognition. The cost of living is not where they are 10 years ago but the transport companies are thinking of paying bus drivers $1.5-2k for 6 days week! Given such salary scale, for the locals, it is more lucrative to drive lorries or taxis for their skillsets.

 

[hanzohattori]

One of the things the RPC bus drivers are not happy about is their uniforms.

They feel that the prescribed uniforms do not reflect their importance and status.

I think SMRT should seriously consider this for them:

They drive like cowboys already :bsmilie:

 

[An drew]

I think Singapore need to stop tapping foreign markets for certain jobs and recognize that they need to pay the locals more to do it. Don't have to call a bus driver any fanciful names but recognize that they are specialists who need to be given proper monetary recognition. The cost of living is not where they are 10 years ago but the transport companies are thinking of paying bus drivers $1.5-2k for 6 days week! Given such salary scale, for the locals, it is more lucrative to drive lorries or taxis for their skillsets.

I think you should migrate to Japan or Australia. The focus here is the GDP.

 

[9V-Orion Images]

Those PRC drivers messed with the wrong fellow.

 

[cks2k2]

If the transport companies raise the starting pay to $2.5-3k on a 5 day work week, will there be enough locals who will take up the job? While I understand the need to reduce operating costs and return value to shareholders. Are the public transport companies in such bad finances that they cannot afford to pay locals to do the job? Even if they have to replace 200 foreign drivers (6 day week) with 250 locals (5 day week), they are likely to pay $4-5 million more in wages per year. If you take away the need to provide accommodations and other costs incurred that comes with hiring foreigners, maybe less. IIRC the 2 transport companies' combine profit for each of the past few years has been more $100 million, closer to $200 mil. By reporting 5-10% lesser profit to raise local employment rate seems like a better solution than to continue to suppress wages and maximize shareholders value at the expense of Singaporean.

While the issue raised by the PRC drivers circle around unfair rewards and standards, there is a bigger issue circling many companies. These companies keep suppressing wages, making jobs unattractive to locals, while continuing to report huge profits to shareholders. IMHO, companies providing public services should seriously look into adjusting from a maximizing profit to a sustainable profit model. Else there will be factions of unhappy foreigners and plenty more emotionless locals.

2.5k/3k = fresh degree grad pay.
If bus driver already paid that much, then the fresh grads would demand 5k minimum. Then everything else goes up.

 

[Yappy]

Tan Chuan Jin would be able to handle this and resolve.

After this episode, Singapore must think through the wisdom of bringing in large numbers of foreigners suddenly.

Foreigners who have grown up in their own country have their own perspective and view points. Which may be different from ours.

It is a signal to all be it locals or...
A stable nation needs law and order
The rule is simple.. if Iyou are in China, you need to adjust to their.... all

 

[ArchRival]

People, an evil omen has appeared.

Go to this latest report by Straits Times SMRT bus drivers from China return to work
There are 3 photos there, click on the middle one.
See the female ghost in the window.

Now i very scared to take bus, later some disgrunted employee decide to do something funny.:bsmilie:

 

[SilentSeth]

2.5k/3k = fresh degree grad pay.
If bus driver already paid that much, then the fresh grads would demand 5k minimum. Then everything else goes up.

The interesting thing is that.. How is this possible in countries like USA, Germany, Sweden or Australia?

 

[cks2k2]

The interesting thing is that.. How is this possible in countries like USA, Germany, Sweden or Australia?

What is the pay for bus drivers in these countries?
Then what is the pay for fresh uni grads in these countries?

 

[9V-Orion Images]

People, an evil omen has appeared.

Go to this latest report by Straits Times SMRT bus drivers from China return to work
There are 3 photos there, click on the middle one.
See the female ghost in the window.

Now i very scared to take bus, later some disgrunted employee decide to do something funny.:bsmilie:

How come their hairstyle machiam all the same?

 

[ManWearPants]

2.5k/3k = fresh degree grad pay.
If bus driver already paid that much, then the fresh grads would demand 5k minimum. Then everything else goes up.

Thats the mental block of Singapore society. The core business is providing transport and the main service provider is the bus driver. What is wrong with paying him more. Fresh grads without experience can accumulate and usually earn much more later on in life. The salary of bus drivers rises in small percentage. Anyway, it is about supply and demand. If you want to keep bus drivers local, then you need to up the salary to be acceptable. No point suppressing wage and then claim no locals want to do the job. End up hiring bus loads of foreigners and it is no way back.

 

[cks2k2]

Thats the mental block of Singapore society. Fresh grads without experience can accumulate and usually earn much more later on in life. The salary of bus drivers rises in small percentage. Anyway, it is about supply and demand. If you want to keep bus drivers local, then you need to up the salary to be acceptable. No point suppressing wage and then claim no locals want to do the job. End up hiring bus loads of foreigners and it is no way back.

Actually, what happened to that 3k/mth dishwasher job that Sakae Sushi offered?