Wow...when was my last update?

Hi,

I did'nt know life as a part-time degree student can be so hectic. My time management almost when bonkers. Just completed my exams last week....it's been a year since I joined UniSim.

So, what have I missed out? A lot it seemed. Ok, lets start from the beginning of this year. Young Upage was'nt that active for the past few months. Partly, it's my fault too. Did'nt push for more participation in actitivies due to my studies. I was lucky to have my comrade Abdul Samad as our Secretary. He helped and assisted me in a lot of areas for young Upage...the numerous meetings I missed. I promised this year, Young Upage will come back with a bang. In April, we had the union election . Suprise, suprise...we still could'nt find younger candidates to represent our branch. With the current leaders who are getting older, this is a really worrying trend. I really wished we have young passionate professionals coming upfront to fight with us for the cause of the workers. With the change in the constitution to include all PMEs, I hope we will see PMEs joining us as union leaders. I was asked to move up the ranks to be my Branch Secretary.....I could see that there's some unwillingness on the other party. Come on, why do you harbour such feelings? We are in this together for our fellow workers not for some personal gains. I was listening to a motivational Cd by Dr Fadhilah Kamsan titled ' 45 Ways To Be An Exemplary Leader". One of the way which really hit home was , " Exemplary leaders are leaders who are afraid that they die without leaving behind someone as exemplary if not better leader than to succeed them" They ensure that they trained and mentor someone to succeed them so that the followers don't sure. They put the upmost importance for the well being of their followers and ensure that there is a smooth leadership transition. Do I see that in all leaders whom I know?


We just had an Exco meeting and 4th UPAGE Quadrennial Delegata Conference on 20th May 2010. There's a report on NTUC This Week about the event and how our leaders were potrayed as role models in selfless leadership. My salute to all of them!!!

I was also actively involved in the CA meetings now...I attended 4 to 5 meetings and it was a real blessing and eye-opener learning from the leaders in negotiating skills.Like it or not, we badly need people like my ES and GS, who's insights and helicopter view of issues were simply amazing!!!! I learned from these sessions.
We hope to sign the CA in a month's time. Kudos to the management team too for understaning and giving in to a lot of our demands....end of the day, we are still employees, right? The sweetest victory was,we manage to convince the management to have a different payout for the members and non-members. Finally, I can proudly say, "Members has got it's privilages"