CHEONG, Eric Yuen Chee 张润志
Political History of Singapore 1945–1965,
Accession Number 001298
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 11
Total Reels
- Irene Lim Ai Lin
Interviewer
- 05:30:33
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 11
Metadata
- 17 Sep 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Educational background. First job at Banque De L'Indochine from 1949 to 1951. Left in 1954 to join Jardine Waugh. Japanese occupation experiences: working as labourer, growing own food, staying in Tiong Bahru (Yong Siak Street). Circumstances of involvement in Jardine Waugh Employees' Union (house union). Workers' dissatisfaction against Jardine Waugh management and house union. Planned capture of house union leadership to join Singapore Business Houses Employees' Union.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
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Reel/Disc 2 of 11
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1991
Recording Date
- 00:30:57
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Occupational profile of union members in Singapore Business Houses Employees Union. First task upon joining union. Union support for David Marshall in Anson by-election in 1961. Split in trade union movement saw Singapore Association of Trade Unions (SATU) siphoned off support from Singapore Trade Union Congress (STUC). Four main pillars of support in SATU. Why he left SATU camp to join National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) later. Circumstances of Robinson strike in 1961 and role.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
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Reel/Disc 3 of 11
Metadata
- 10 Mar 1991
Recording Date
- 00:31:02
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How union took care of union members when Robinson strike was called then. Opinion of Singapore Commercial Houses Employee' Union (SCHEU) - predecessor was Singapore Business Houses Employees Union. Calibre of union leaders in SCHEU. Left SCHEU to join Singapore Mercantile and Manual Workers' Union (SMMWU). Jardine Waugh branch in SCHEU switched camp to join SMMWU. How leadership negotiated for switchover to SMMWU. Impact of Separation from Malaysia on European business houses in 1965.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 4 of 11
Metadata
- 22 Apr 1992
Recording Date
- 00:31:09
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Circumstances of secondment to National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Research Unit to work full-time with Singapore Mercantile and Manual Workers' Union (SMMWU). State of SMMWU when it joined NTUC. Factors attributing to exodus of unions into NTUC. Ways NTUC helped to control profiteering. Reason why it had been difficult in old days to attract scholars to join NTUC as compared to now.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 5 of 11
Metadata
- 22 Apr 1992
Recording Date
- 00:21:31
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Process of formulating claims for Singapore Mercantile and Manual Workers' Union (SMMWU). Re-organisation of SMMWU. Internal squabbles within SMMWU. Reaction towards British Government's decision to withdraw forces from Singapore by 1971. Impact of British withdrawal on SMMWU. Re-training programme offered. Retrenchment benefits negotiated by SMMWU.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 6 of 11
Metadata
- 29 May 1992
Recording Date
- 00:31:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Prime Minister Lee called for meeting with trade union officials to discusstwo labour legislations in 1968. Managerial prerogatives were spelt out inIndustrial Relations Amendment Act. Its impact on and reaction from union members. Circumstances of candidacy for 1968 General Elections in Toa Payoh. How problem on illegal hawking was resolved in Toa Payoh.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 7 of 11
Metadata
- 29 May 1992
Recording Date
- 00:31:04
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Further elaboration on how illegal hawking was stamped out and resettled in markets. Purpose of organising Seminar on Modernisation of Labour in 1969. Objectives of setting up various co-operatives. Reason for implementing check-off system. Pros of implementing check-off system. Problems with pirate taxis and set-up of NTUC COMFORT.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 8 of 11
Metadata
- 19 Aug 1992
Recording Date
- 00:31:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Objective of setting up FAIRDEAL. Its performance in first few years of set-up. Secretary for Co-operatives and Business Projects from 1970 to 1976. Competitive edge of WELCOME vis-a-vis other neighbourhood grocers and supermarkets. Reaction of affiliated unions towards formation of National Wages Council.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 9 of 11
Metadata
- 19 Aug 1992
Recording Date
- 00:30:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Reason accounting for decline in union membership. Programmes started to lure workers to join unions. Job as Secretary for Information and Publicity from 1976 to 1982. Election campaign in Toa Payoh in 1972. Mass Rapid Transit project was subject of contention by Barisan Sosialis (BS) during 1980 elections. Evaluation of BS strength after 1968 in Toa Payoh.
Remarks
Also interviewed for Political Development Project 1965 -1985 (Accession Number 002838).
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
