Union calls out Dyson for short notice, lack of info on retrenchment benefits
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is meeting Dyson and union officials after the household appliances manufacturer was called out for its "unacceptable" retrenchment exercise this month, according to reports.
MOM said it met with Dyson on Wednesday and will meet with officials from the United Workers of Electronics & Electrical Industries (UWEEI) to "understand the concerns of both parties and to explore an amicable resolution," The Straits Times reported.
According to MOM, the meetings come after the UWEEI requested a conciliation session with Dyson after the company retrenched an unknown number of employees this month.
Patrick Tay, UWEEI secretary, said they were "very disappointed" that Dyson only informed them about the retrenchment exercise a day before it was carried out.
"This is unacceptable as it does not give sufficient time for discussion between Dyson and UWEEI to ensure not just a fair, but also a responsible and progressive retrenchment exercise," Tay said in a statement.
"This is also not in accordance with the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment."
In its statement, MOM noted that unionised companies should give unions an early notice when informing employees of retrenchments. However, the retrenched professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) are not unionised and are "not part of the scope of the union's collective representation."
"Hence, the period of notice to inform UWEEI is negotiable," MOM said as quoted by The Straits Times.
Meanwhile, the UWEEI has also expressed concern over the lack of information provided by Dyson on retrenchment benefits.
"We are still trying to confirm details of the retrenchment package. We understand from some affected employees that they were told to keep it confidential or risk affecting their retrenchment package," Tay said.
Tay noted that the UWEEI norm is one month per year of service, but the union does not know if there is a cap on the retrenchment package.
"That is why we are concerned that we have not received more information from Dyson on who the affected workers are or their job levels as Section 30A of the Industrial Relations Act also allows UWEEI to represent executives individually on retrenchment benefits," he said.
According to MOM, retrenched Dyson employees will have after-care support and outplacement, Mothership reported. They will also receive unlimited access to coaching and career counselling for the next three months.
The ministry added that the agreed tripartite position on retrenchment benefits for PMEs is negotiable between the union and the company.
"If there are issues, MOM will conciliate the matter," MOM said.
The UWEEI said they have established a taskforce to support and advise employees on this difficult period and assist them in their job search.
