Youth Chapters
In Singapore, Youth Chapters are the youth wings of the 60 National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)-affiliated unions and provide an avenue for working adults aged 35 and below to play an active role in their respective workplace unions. Youths are given the chance to take on leadership positions in their Youth Chapters and look after the interests of their colleagues. It is also a platform for interaction among members through a range of meaningful activities and programmes organized by these young union leaders.
There are currently 44 Youth Chapters in Young NTUC. While each Youth Chapter operates independently, the young leaders often come together for events organised by Young NTUC in order to foster bonds and to learn from one another. Leaders of each Youth Chapter also attend a monthly committee meeting to update each other of happenings in their Youth Chapter groups. On their own, each Youth Chapter organises social events on a regular basis for their colleagues to encourage interaction between the organizational levels and to better understand the needs of those they are serving.
Activities of Youth Chapters
Inter-Union Paintball Tournament
On 10 July 2010, an inter-union paintball tournament was jointly organized by 5 unions – Chemical Industries Employees’ Union, Education Services Union, Healthcare Services Employees’ Union, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Staff Union, Singapore Industrial Services & Employees’ Union. Held at Bottle Tree Park, 30 teams from the 5 unions participated in the paintball competition. This activity provided young union members with the opportunity to bond with members from their union while making new friends with members from other unions.
LM Idol
Talents from Eight Unions (The Singapore Manual & Mercantile Workers’ Union; Healthcare Services Employees’ Union; Food, Drinks and Allied Workers’ Union; United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries; Singapore Technologies Electronics Employees’ Union; Singapore Teachers’ Union; Sembawang Shipyard Employees’ Union and Union of Telecoms Employees of Singapore) come together annually to take part in the Labour Movement’s U Fame Awards in which 24 contestants battle it out in the ‘LM Idol’ by giving performances that ranged from singing English rock to Hokkien evergreens.
The U Fame awards are held in recognition of the talents of the union members as well as to provide an opportunity for fun and interaction between the members of the various unions.
In 2011, the event was held at D’Marquee, NTUC Downtown East and Christopher Ang won the title of ‘LM Idol’
Activities organized by Young NTUC for Youth Chapters
Young NTUC Workplan Seminar for Workyear
The Young NTUC Workplan Seminar is held annually to discuss both local and global Workplace issues. In 2010, the seminar included a sharing session by Union Network International Malaysian Liaison Council (UNI-MLC) where pertinent issues like youth unemployment as well as Multinational Corporations (MNCs) reluctance to unionize young workers were discussed. Leaders of Youth Chapters are often exposed to such opportunities and given the chance to voice their views not only locally but on the international arena.
Uth! Campus
Uth! Campus is a Young NTUC program organized by youths for youths. The program usually spans over a couple of days or is held as a full day event. It is an opportunity for members to bond and network with each other over team-building and knowledge-sharing activities. Through these activities, participants get to learn about the roles and values of the Labour Movement and NTUC itself. This program is part of Young NTUC’s efforts in engaging their young members.
The 5 Values of Uth! Campus
- • Change mindset
- • Communication
- • Commitment
- • Capacity building
- • Collaboration
In the most recent 7th Uth! Campus organized on 4 September 2010, participants had an opportunity to discuss relevant and pertinent issues in a dialogue session with Members from Parliament. They also attended an inspirational talk conducted by David Lim from the Mount Everest Team. All participants received a graduation certificate upon completion of Uth! Campus.
Camp Symbiosis
Held in conjunction with YP, the youth wing of the People’s Association Party (PAP), for the first time in 2009, Camp Symbiosis was conducted to emphasize the relationship between the Union and the ruling party. Leaders from both Young NTUC and YP got together to discuss issues such as retaining talents in Singapore as well as their vision for the nation’s future.
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