19 June 1947

150 airline workers assembled in Victoria Street to form the Singapore Civil Air Transport-workers' Union. Membership was confined to the employees of Qantas Empire Airways Limited.

17 Dec 1947

The name was changed to Qantas Empire Airways Local Employees' Union in order to obtain recognition from the management of Qantas.

15 Apr 1955

Eight years later amidst threat of dismissal, employees of a local airline - Malayan Airways - formed the Malayan Airways Local Employees' Union.

Members streaming in to attend an Extra-ordinary General Meeting.

22 Dec 1956

Members of the Malayan Airways Local Employees' Union went on strike for the first time for a Goodwill Bonus. Following the payment of the Goodwill Bonus by Management the strike ended on January 13, 1957.

Malayan Airways Local Employees' Union went on strike for the first time for 22 days (22 December 1956 till 13 January 1957). They fought for a Goodwill Bonus which was to be paid at the end of the Company's 10 year franchise. The Union's legal adviser, Mr Lee Kuan Yew then MP for Tanjong Pagar introduced the motion relating to the principle of profit sharing. The bonus was paid at the end of this victorious strike. SATU made a second claim for a Goodwill Bonus on 30 December 1971 together with the MSA Pilots Association and the MSA executive Union. SATU was supported by the Airlines Employees Union, States of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, the Air Transport Workers Union. Kota Kinabalu and the MSA Employees Union. Kuching after the decision to split MSA which was announced by the Singapore and Malaysian Governments.

25 Aug 1958

The name of Qantas Empire Airways Local Employees' Union was changed to Singapore Airlines' Employees Union.