TLDR; It’s rare that the decrease in union membership numbers is seen as a good sign. As daily rated workers progressed to monthly wage schemes, AUPDRW’s membership numbers dwindled but it demonstrates that their efforts paid off.
The Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE) has launched a commemorative book to celebrate the contributions of the former public daily rated union – the Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated workers (AUPDRW).
The book, titled Reflections, is a commemorative book that celebrates AUPDRW’s 29 years of contributions since its formation in 1992 to its merger with the Amalgamated union of Public Employees in 2021.
From the beginning
In our early years of nation building, much of its essential services were provided for by daily rated workers.
The Amalgamated Union of Public Daily Rated workers (AUPDRW) was formed by four public daily rated unions, merging to represent 1,200 members.
These members include low-wage workers who maintained the hygiene of public places, repaired the roads, maintained the upkeep of parks, and dealt with sewerages.
Unlike monthly rated workers, daily rated employees (DRE) did not enjoy work benefits such as annual or medical leave. DREs also lacked essential protection such as medical and hospitalization insurance.
In 1947, there were as many as 14 daily rated unions representing these workers from various industries – utilities such as water and electricity, to infrastructure such as roadworks and public transport. The unions collectively represented 14,000 members.
AUPDRW merged with AUPE
As a union, AUPDRW always championed the interests of its members first. The leaders of AUPDRW were more concerned for their members’ employability, making sure that they upgrade themselves so they can take on better roles with higher salary and benefits even if it meant losing some of their members as they progressed from daily wage employees to month wage employees.
Evidently, AUPDRW’s efforts paid off. Over the years, with the support of NTUC and NEA, it succeeded in converting its members to monthly-rated schemes with better wages, benefits and career progression. As a result, membership numbers started to dwindle for the daily rated worker unions.
Furthermore, the new generation of workers became more educated, fewer are working in lower-wage jobs that pay salaries on a daily basis.
With less than 500 members remaining, AUPDRW’s voice for its members started to wane. As unions acquired strength in numbers, AUPDRW joined AUPE as a branch in 2021.
Celebrating the legacy of the late G Muthukumarasamy
As AUPDRW’s former General Secretary (2002 – 2019), his heart and dedication to the workers were exemplary and had earned him well-deserved respect and love from many in the Labour Movement.
Brother Kumar was a strong believer that training is key to bettering the lives of workers.
When the Government launched the National Skills Recognition System in 2000, he persuaded the daily rated workers to upgrade themselves.
Attending classes was a challenge to many of his members as they were not highly educated. In efforts to motivate his members so that both workers and companies may achieve a win-win outcome, he worked with companies to provide incentives for workers who underwent and completed training.
Looking to the future
Even though AUPDRW may cease to exist as a union, its spirit carries on in the AUPE-DRW branch committee.
AUPE will continue to tend to the needs and grievances of the once daily rated workers. Beyond workplace grievances, they will continue to champion upskilling and reskilling initiatives to help their members remain relevant and employable.
Additionally, scholarship and bursary initiatives for their members’ school-going children will be explored so that their children have a fair footing during their learning years.
Looking back at AUPDRW’s journey, it serves as a reminder of what it means to serve: to put those under your care first and foremost, above all else.