In a move to strengthen their bipartite relationship, the Singapore Airlines Group of companies and unions affirm their commitment today to be both pro-workers and pro-business respectively.

For the first time, the two will embark on a National Trade Union Congress (NTUC)-supported Singapore Airlines Group Union-Management Partnership in conjunction with the Labour Movement 2011 (LM 2011).

The partnership, which began in February 2007 as a series of joint management-union workshops both in and outside of Singapore, will be critical to the Group's staying ahead in an increasingly competitive airline industry, said a media release issued today.

Both companies and unions recognise that the emergence of low-cost carriers and low-cost maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centres; rival airport hubs and services; and stubbornly high fuel prices are challenges which demand a more cohesive working relationship.

Unions have committed to staying pro-business in aspects of cost efficiency, product leadership and service excellence, while companies in the Group have affirmed that workers need to be taken care of and fairly rewarded to maintain customer service delivery and in the end, profitability.

Initiatives arising from earlier meetings in February are currently undergoing further evaluation, and the Singapore Airlines Group of companies and unions will work with the support of NTUC and relevant agencies to achieve the desired results.

Some of the initiatives include the possible re-employment of older workers; enhancing the employability of workers through skills training and upgrading; and the enhancement of career management for Cabin crew.

In addressing the areas of employee welfare, initiatives to manage Medical Cost like co-payment and portability for hospitalisation benefits; and workplace health programmes are being deliberated on.

The Singapore Airlines Group Union-Management Partnership will support the LM 2011, an initiative set forth by NTUC to be a movement serving everyone, and which aims to attract 650,000 members by 2011 and a million by 2015.