Alan, Bob and Collin are all working with Icon International Hotel (Icon) which has both executive and rank and file trade unions.
Alan works as a bona fide Engineer and is earning a basic salary of $3,900. He is an ordinary member of the hotel industry's executive trade union.
Bob works as a Confidential Payroll Clerk. He has been working with Icon for 25 years and is earning a basic salary of $3,100. He is a general branch member of National Trades Union Congress.
Collin is Icon's bona fide Human Resource Manager and is earning a basic salary of $8,000. He is a general branch member of Icon's executive trade union.
Alan, Bob and Collin would like to know that in the event that they are being retrenched, whether they would be entitled to retrenchment benefits and who they could seek for assistance if Icon refuses to pay them their salary by virtue that they refused to carry the illegal instructions as directed by their management? Specifically, they would like to know whether it make a difference if they were general or ordinary members?
In addition, they would like to know if the management is reluctant to pay any retrenchment benefits, could trade unions in Singapore pursue industrial action against the company. Albert, Bob and Collin did some research and they know that there are various forms of industrial action that a trade union could pursue if the management is reluctant to give in any retrenchment benefits. They would like to find out from you the differences between the different types of industrial disputes as follows:
- a) picketing;
- b) go-slow;
You are to describe and interpret the differences between all the various types of industrial action and ultimately propose to them which would be the best industrial action to be taken. On the other hand, they also
know that under The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, trade unions may be forbidden to pursue industrial actions against their employer as far as essential services are concerned. They are worried by contravening The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act it is a criminal offence.
In view of the above, as they are aware that you are pursuing an undergraduate degree with SIM University, they seek your advice accordingly.