SAMUEL, K. T.
History of the Labour Movement,
Accession Number 002097
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 10
Total Reels
- Irene Quah (Mrs)
Interviewer
- 04:51:38
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 10
Metadata
- 26 Mar 1999
Recording Date
- 00:31:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Born 1984 in South India. Family background. Came to Singapore in 1953 because cousins were in Singapore. Worked in Caltex as clerk typist. Involvement in Caltex Employees’ Union in 1958. Poor working conditions. Achievements of the Union and its supporters. How his family got by after father’s death. His mother wanted him to be a priest due to the prestige and why he did not become one. His mother persuaded cousins to bring him to Singapore. Describe journey to Singapore by ship service from Madras. Ship was called “Jaladopal”. Experience during quarantine at St John’s Island for two days. Lived with cousins and was unemployed for six months when he reached Singapore. Did clerical work and later on dealt with customers and contractors, service station at Tanjong Pagar Installation centre. Transferred back to head office in operations department, field section, after five years. Became involved in the formation of the Caltex Employees’ Union. Increasing number of employees and more unions pursuing for self governance. Part of greater social, economical, political development of Singapore. Supported by Shell Employee’s Union and Esso Employee’s Union. Sought to unionize all the oil companies as a federation. United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI) was formed in 1961. Examples of grievances workers had. Union not meant to be disruptive or used for own political end. Supported People’s Action Party (PAP).
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Reel/Disc 2 of 10
Metadata
- 26 Mar 1999
Recording Date
- 00:27:22
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Caltex Employees’ Union recognized as responsible and progressive union. Funds for activities. Known as a rich union. Founding members included Mr AG Dharan, Mr Lee Thiam Soon, Mr Mahmud Awang, Mr Neo Hock Bin, Mr Lee Chew Yeow, Mr Koh Ho Hock. Few unhappy to join United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI). Americans as department heads. Discrimination between locals and expatriates but not challenged. How union gained support of workers. Workers feared disciplinary action if they join union. Levy needed if workers want union benefits. Difficulties in formation. White collar members 30%, blue collar members 70%. Five percent levy and monthly subscription from members. Union’s demands. Describe first negotiation process. Negotiating team from Esso, Caltex and Shell for collective bargaining. Describe grievances procedure.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 10
Metadata
- 2 May 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:32
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Caltex Employees’ Union Operating as house union before formation of United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI). Part of Singapore Trades Union Congress (STUC) through this relationship. UWPI classified within essential services. Reaction of Caltex Employees’ Union towards formation of UWPI. Formation of UWPI. Describe dispute over terms and conditions of employment. Relationship between UWPI and NTUC. Tripartite system in Singapore. Aim of peaceful coexistence. Split of STUC and formation of National Trades Union Singapore (NTUC) and Singapore Association of Trade Unions (SATU) in 1961. Pro-communist group associated with SATU and pro-socialist group with People’s Action Party (PAP). Describe distinction between aims of SATU and NTUC and ability to deliver. Internal dispute in UWPI and resolution.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 10
Metadata
- 2 May 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:14
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Stance of United Workers of Petroleum Industry (UWPI) about split of Singapore Trades Union Congress (STUC) in 1961. Describe Hock Lee bus riots. Difference in sentiments about conflicts in India and Singapore. His aim of being involved in formation of Caltex Employees’ Union. Joined People’s Action Party (PAP) and was part of Moulmein Constituency. Describe problem of being over sufficient today. Discuss increasing demands of people. Effective system of meritocracy and racial harmony. No prerequisites then for joining as honorary member of PAP in 1964.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 10
Metadata
- 26 Jul 1999
Recording Date
- 00:29:50
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Describe National Referendum to join Malaysia in 1962 and separation in 1965. Challenges Singapore faced post separation. Development of Singapore post-1965. His activities during the referendum in favour of merger. Reasons for favouring merger. Slum like conditions in Moulmein Constituency. His involvement in the 1963 General Elections in Moulmein Constituency. Manifestoes of People’s Action Party (PAP) in various elections. Describe his role as an election agent. Opinion of rallies and modern indoor dialogue session. Organization of rallies. Discussion of election candidates with relation to party.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 10
Metadata
- 26 Jul 1999
Recording Date
- 00:26:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Formation of the Goodwill committee in Moulmein Constituency. Role of Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCC) in nation building. General communal complaints to CCC. Opinions on fines in Singapore. Describe house visits by various departments such as Housing Development Board (HDB), Town Council, CCC. Initial reaction to separation from Malaysia was negative. Later thought of as a blessing in disguise. Described relationship between Malaysia and Singapore. Development of Singapore post-separation. General public attitude towards separation. Doubts of foreigners in Singapore. Different posts he held in 34 years. Duties as secretary of Moulmein Constituency.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Sep 1999
Recording Date
- 00:29:55
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Trade Unions Bill of 1966 deemed as necessity. Ongoing nation building efforts. Opinion that Employment Act and Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act of 1968 not biased towards employers. Opinion that bargaining power of unions not diminished. Different methods of channeling resentment. Instruments meant to allow people to come to common understanding. Majority of people convinced about necessity of acts. Impact of British withdrawal in 1968. Necessity of defense forces. Why there was no need for violent response to dissatisfaction. Lack of need to abuse, higher education and need for support of fellow colleagues prevented abuse of acts. Purpose of organizing Modernisation Seminar of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Describe impression of trade unions in 1960s.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Sep 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:37
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Participated in Modernisation Seminar of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 1969. What was discussed at seminar. Matching the needs of employers and employees. Formation of cooperatives since 1924, beginning with money lending, encouraging thrift and money saving. First insurance cooperative - NTUC Income. Formation of NTUC Comfort, NTUC Fairprice. Cooperatives in many areas providing social and economic services. Problems collecting monthly subscription fee from members. Later employees can deduct union dues from salary. Describe past resentment against government’s building of Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) train services but later resolved. Opinion on limitations placed upon people and usefulness of structure. Describe his work in trade unions and in Moulmein Branch Committee. Committee had many Chinese speaking members. Support for English speaking Lawrence Sia. Formation of Management Committee. Was a member of the Citizen Consultative Committee (CCC).
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Reel/Disc 9 of 10
Metadata
- 2 Sep 1999
Recording Date
- 00:30:30
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Remained member of Moulmein Citizen Consultative Committee (CCC) though gave up position on Management Committee. Remained member of PAP Community Foundation (PCF). Experience from selling insurance on part time basis. Led to involvement in National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Income. Joined NTUC research unit for 18 months then NTUC Income as a full time employee. Describe career development in NTUC Income. Describe class disparity in Singapore. Why NTUC Income more suitable for lower class. Establishment of National Wage Council (NWC) in 1972, its role and impact. Negotiation on sector basis. Progressive gains of Caltex Employees’ Union every three years since 1972. Why Tripartite system important. Importance of population to trade unions.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 10
Metadata
- 7 Dec 1999
Recording Date
- 00:24:36
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Performance of People’s Action Party (PAP) since 1959. Why unions tend to follow National Wage Council’s (NWC) recommendations. Relations between NWC and PAP. Discussed possible mutual benefits. Why grassroots unionists against crossing between trade unions and PAP. Advantages of a cross-fertilization programme. Started working for Singapore National Cooperative Federation (SNCF) as Chief Executive and resigned from (National Trades Union Congress) NTUC Income in 1980. Purpose of SNCF. Difference between businesses and cooperatives. Opinion on qualities a trade union and political leaders should possess.
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