NUS works to improve students' working rights

National Union of Students

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A plan to protect the working rights of students from unscrupulous employers has been developed by the National Union of Students in Scotland in collaboration with the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC).

Last week, STUC discussed the way in which the scheme will run over the course of a year.

A spokesperson for STUC, told The Journal: “There are many common areas of concern for students and young workers in society and the workplace, and the NUS and our Youth Committee are perfectly placed to protect Scottish young people both in education and the workplace.

“If this is not bad enough, many students faced with growing student debt are forced to work longer and longer hours, interfering with their education and often without any idea of their employment rights.

“As a result, along with the NUS, we will be looking at the possibility of developing Union-link and provide employment rights advice to students in other campuses in and outside Edinburgh.”

Union-link was piloted in Edinburgh last year and provided students with a free trade union membership. Students gained access to information on employment rights and legal resources, and were assisted in identifying bad employment practices.

Although the scheme was successful, James Alexander, President of NUS Scotland said more needs to be done to protect students.

Mr Alexander told The Journal: “While the Union-link card demonstrated the benefits of trade union membership, its roll out was limited.

“NUS will continue to work closely with STUC’s youth committee to supply students with greater job security and pressure for a universal minimum wage and greater protections rights.”

Students offer a cheap and flexible labour which some employers have chosen to exploit. Employers are aware that students need work in order to cope with increasing student debt and the rising cost of living. Consequently they are aware that students are happy to accept lower standards.

Sarah Beattie-Smith, President of Edinburgh College of Art Students’ Association, highlighted the importance trade union membership for students.

She said: “ECA would like to be part of this partnership and to help to raise awareness within the Art College population.

“It is increasingly the case that students in Scotland are forced to take up part-time work to support themselves through financial hardship. Often these students are low-paid and suffer poor working conditions, both of which can affect their studies."

A NUS survey has revealed that 70 per cent of students now have to take up some form of work whilst studying to minimise the level of debt they face when they leave university.

The survey conducted in conjunction with TUC identified retail and hospitality as the two areas most popular with students. These industries are areas in which workers are most vulnerable to low pay and long working hours.

Kevin Harman, a student in his final year at Edinburgh College of Art studying Sculpture, got a job in a pub to finance his university life.

He said: “My employer knew that I needed the money and therefore I was pressurised to take extra shifts and made to fill guilty if I didn't.

“The late night shifts had a negative impact on my studies and I found it very difficult to be involved with exhibitions and other university orientated experiences because I had to work 20 hours a week in a pub.”

One of the key areas of concern for working students is "qualifying periods." Employees are not protected by the legal system unless they are in employment for over 12 months. Due to study commitments, many students are employed by agencies or are temporary workers.

The NUS and Trade Unions are working to secure the same working rights for temporary and agency workers as those received by permanent employees.

On Friday 22 February, the ‘Temporary and Agency Equal Treatment Bill’ brought by Andrew Miller MP and supported by Trade Unions and the NUS, received the backing of 100 MPs necessary in order to proceed to the committee stage.

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