The Hock Lee Bus Riots Flashcards
(24 cards)
What was the Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company?
A small bus company in Singapore.
Which unions did the workers of Hock Lee Amalgamated Bus Company belong to?
Some belonged to the Singapore Bus Workers’ Union (SBWU) and others to the Hock Lee Bus Employees’ Union.
What triggered the strike in late April 1955?
Workers felt they were treated unfairly, such as not being granted leave for union meetings.
What action did the strikers take on April 27, 1955?
They blocked the gate and hurled stones at the police.
What was the bus company’s response to the strike?
They dismissed 229 workers.
What did the dismissed workers do after being fired?
They went on a hunger strike and sat in front of the bus depot gates.
How did the police respond to the crowd at the bus depot?
They used batons to clear the crowd, resulting in about 15 injuries.
How did students support the striking workers?
More than 10,000 students from Chinese-medium schools gathered to bring food and entertain them.
Who tried to settle the dispute between the bus company and the SBWU?
Chief Minister David Marshall.
Was an agreement reached between the bus company and the SBWU?
No, the two parties could not reach an agreement.
What event escalated on 12 May during the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
Tensions reached a climax as the police attempted to disperse the crowd with water hoses.
How did the crowd respond to the police’s actions on 12 May?
The crowd fought back by throwing bricks, stones, and bottles.
What were the casualties reported by the next morning of the riots?
Four people had been killed and 31 injured.
Who were among the dead in the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
A police detective and a 16-year-old student.
When did the Hock Lee Bus Riots end?
The riots ended on 14 May 1955.
What was the outcome of the negotiations on 14 May 1955?
The dismissed workers got their jobs back.
How did trade union members feel about the government after the riots?
Many remained suspicious of the government and continued to organise rallies and protests.
What event escalated on 12 May during the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
Tensions reached a climax as the police attempted to disperse the crowd with water hoses.
How did the crowd respond to the police’s actions on 12 May?
The crowd fought back by throwing bricks, stones, and bottles.
What were the casualties reported by the next morning of the riots?
Four people had been killed and 31 injured.
Who were among the dead in the Hock Lee Bus Riots?
A police detective and a 16-year-old student.
When did the Hock Lee Bus Riots end?
The riots ended on 14 May 1955.
What was the outcome of the negotiations on 14 May 1955?
The dismissed workers got their jobs back.
How did trade union members feel about the government after the riots?
Many remained suspicious of the government and continued to organise rallies and protests.
