Union General Meeting (31st Jan 2008)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO JOIN TRADE UNIONS
Proposed by: Tom Williams
Seconded by: Chris Swann, Adam Wollman, Andrew Godfrey and Michael Appleton
This union notes:
(i) That an increasing number of students are forced to take part-time employment (either in term time or during the vacation) in order to fund their degrees or limit their debt.
(ii) That students tend to take low-paid, casual employment in shops, bars and pubs.
(iii) That a small minority of employers mistreat their student workers.
(iv) That student workers have the same rights as any other employees.
This union believes:
(i) That student workers should be aware of their rights at work, including their right to: (a) written terms of employment within eight weeks of starting work; (b) an itemised pay-slip detailing pay and deductions; (c) a safe and healthy workplace; and (d) join a Trade Union.
(ii) That the Trades’ Union Congress and its constituent Unions (for example, Unite, Usdaw and the GMB) support students at work.
This union resolves:
(i) To action the President and the Academic and Welfare Officer to work with the Trades Union Congress, and the branches of Trades’ Unions in York, to ensure that students have the resources available to ensure their rights at work.
(ii) To action the Services and Finance Officer to inform all Union staff of their right to join a Trades’ Union.
(iii) To action the Academic and Welfare Officer and the Policy and Campaigns Officer to run a campaign informing students of their rights at work, including their right to join a Trades’ Union.
