In the news today...

The Government yesterday hardened its stand on Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilots, saying it will tighten the law to remove union members' right to have the final say in any negotiations with management.

This right, unique to the Air Line Pilots' Association-Singapore (Alpa-S), requires its elected leaders to get the approval of members before it can conclude any collective agreement or settle a dispute with the national carrier.

Right. So now trade unions come under the rule of the gahmen as well. And to think that I once believed the role of trade unions was to protect their members from unjust treatment (now I know it's just to provide for discounted stays in overpriced chalets). But I guess trade union members too fall under the category of people-who-cannot-think-for-themselves-and-therefore-need-to-be-mothered. This is starting to sound too familiar...

In all other unions in Singapore, the elected leaders have the power to bargain and make a deal with a company's management which is binding on their members.

So why enforce it now when the union has been in existence for so many years? Step out of line, my friend, and they'll whack you until you cry.

Against such a backdrop, 'we cannot allow confrontational industrial relations to add to the problems of SIA, Changi Airport and our travel industry. It will put jobs and Singapore's economy at risk,' said the statement.

When business is not good and wages are cut, it's ok. When times are better and the members cry out for fairer treatment, it's confrontational. Got it.

And incidentally, when the company makes a stunning $306 million profit, it would appear that profits did take priority over jobs when times are tough. It might've justified the layoffs and the cuts in the eyes of the investors, but mistreat your workers, and very soon you'll have no one wanting to work for you.

Perhaps they could use some of the money to upgrade their inflight entertaiment facilities (playstations, anyone?). At least that'd probably help take the passenger's minds/eyes off the the sour faces and substandard services of disgruntled employees.