SMRT salary spat led to bus service disruptions

171 disgruntled bus service leaders went AWOL.

SMRT said 171 of its Service Leaders (SLs) for its buses recruited from China (PRC) did not show up for work on November 26. 

"As a result of their absence, a number of our bus services were affected. We apologise to commuters and the public who were inconvenienced by the affected bus services," said SMRT.

"In recent salary adjustments for our SLs, SMRT gave salary increment to all SLs who joined the company before July 2012. These PRC SLs were not happy with their increment. We regret that they chose to express their unhappiness about their salaries in this manner, especially when our lines of communication with them are always open," it added.

Despite the agreements though, several of the SLs still did not report for work on November 27. "In accordance with our obligation as a Public Transport Operator, SMRT has lodged a police report for further investigation into possible breaches of the law. At the same time, the company is conducting its own investigations on whether terms of employment have been breached," said SMRT.

Executive Vice President (Roads & Commercial) Ms Teo Chew Hoon said: "We have stressed to the SLs that the lines of communication to management remain open and they should not take such unlawful actions to air their grievances. We apologise to all commuters for the inconvenience caused, and thank all the Service Leaders who put in their best efforts over the past two days to cover the duties of those who were absent."