Negotiations resume between the NUNW and Star newspaper in Malaysia
Negotiations to re-commence with the Star newspaper, the number one newspaper in Malaysia which is owned by Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a Chinese based political party and a coalition member to ruling party National Front (Barisan Nasional).
Following the meeting with the Star newspaper on the 17th May 2012 to negotiate the Collective Agreement and the management’s refusal to enter into meaningful dialogue members of the National Union of Newspaper Workers (NUNW) decided to initiate a picket on the Company on the 23rd May, 2012.
In an immediate response the Company on the 20th May 2012 wrote to the General Secretary Chandrasekaran Rajamanikam inviting the Union to continue negotiations on 22nd, 23rd and 24th May 2012 with the “intention to work with the Union and wrap up negotiations as soon as possible in the interest of attaining a WIN-Win solution for both parties”.
The Union has met and deliberated on the Company’s invitation to continue negotiations. The Union also in its deliberation took into consideration the intervention of MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek and with due respect to Star Publications (M) Bhd’s Executive Director, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Mr Henry Asokan and Mr. Terence Raj, Head of Human Resource Department, the Union has decided to accept the Company’s invitation for negotiations to conclude the CA as soon as possible to achieve a WIN-WIN solution.
In view of this, the Union decided to POSTPONE THE PICKET ACTION ON WEDNESDAY 23rd MAY 2012UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
The general secretary said that the core issues of the collective agreement 90 days Maternity Leave, 60 years Retirement Age, Salary Increase and Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) was raised in a meeting with Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek on 8th May 2012and Datuk Seri Chua had responded very positively to NUNW especially to 60 years retirement age and 90 days maternity leave.
NUNW, with the mandate from its members from an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting EGM held on 12th May 2012 strongly urge the Company to seriously consider their legitimate claims for 90 days Maternity Leave, 60 years Retirement Age, Salary Increase and Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA).
NUNW sincerely hope that in the interest of maintaining good Industrial Relations and considering the dedication of workers who have served the Company for many years (averaging about 25 years’ service and more of an employee), STAR Publications Berhad management should give priority to settle the four (4) outstanding issues. By doing so STAR Publications Berhad will not only gain the respect of its own workers but also other employers, investors and the international Labour Organizations.
Bro. Chandrasekaran said that in 2007, through the strong recommendation of the NUNW, The Star received the inaugural UNI Apro Best Employer Award 2007 for been an outstanding management-union partnership and been best OSH practices at the workplace by then Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. I am confident that the outstanding management-union partnership relations prevalent then and the basis for our recognition of the Company will enable the union and management to resolve all outstanding disputes.
The Union in a notice to members thanked them for their undivided support and commitment and urged all members to STAND WITH THE UNION UNTIL THE CA IS CONCLUDED.
Members will be kept informed with frequent updates on the status of the CA negotiations.