Eighty per cent of students on the 1977/78 Student Community Service Programme did not join a union. This figure was revealed in an evaluation report of the scheme prepard by the Hawkes Bay Community College. It could be assumed that this figure would be lower for non- SCSP work where there would be a greater tradition of unionization. Nevertheless, this situation should be viewed with concern, not only because students are working without any protection from their employers, but also because of the tendency for students to act as scab labour.

Who Needs Protection?

In an economic recession, it is often temporary workers who are the first to go. Though, there are occasions where students are employed in preference to permanent staff, e.g. to finish a contract, once work is over, the students become redundant. Because students are in such a weak bargaining position, it is difficult to fight redundancy or an unjust sacking. With the deepening of the economic crisis, incidents of under-award wages, unsafe working conditions; and dismissals without notice will increase. Students as temporary workers and as individuals are in a vulnerable position. Their only protection is to join a union.

It Won't Happen to Me

"Most employers are okay. If I work hard enough I'll be treated fairly". Unfortunately, this is often not true. It is highly likely that at some stage you will experience an employer who considers it a case of dismissing you or losing profits.

There have been many examples in recent years of students receiving unjust treatment. During the 1977 Summer vacation, an incident occurred at the Cable Price office at Kaiwharawhara (Wellington) which illustrates the importance of union membership.

The Cable Price Corporation advertised for "several university students for general store duties for the rest of the varsity leave year." Upon application, the successful students were verbally reassured of the advertisements' promise of work. The students were also asked specifically to work on one Saturday to help with their large stock taking procedure. A week and a half after they started, four of the twelve students were told there was no more work for them. They were given one hour's notice and did not receive any redundancy or holiday pay. The managment also had the audacity to ask them if they would help in the stocktaking on the coming Saturday.

When the students accused them of renegging on their agreement, the management replied that all the students were lying and that no verbal reassurance had in fact been given. Unfortunately, all the students who should have been covered under the storeman and packers award had not bothered to join the union. However, through the aid of the students association, the Union agreed to represent the students. After a delegation composed of the Union Secretary, the Students' Association President and a student representative had been to see the Management, they agreed to a week's pay for all the students sacked, in lieu of notice.

During the 1978/79 Vacation period, there were numerous examples round the country of unfair treatment experienced by students. On one Student Community service programme the students were told by their employer that if they joined the union, they "might find themselves without a job." Other employers, particularly on the SCSP schemes, sometimes unintentionally paid under award wages. Some students went to the union, others just accepted them.

When times are hard, employers assume students will accept shoddy conditions and low pay. Last summer, one shop employer offered an hourly rate of $1.50 for a "presentable girl" to work till Christmas.

Who Cares about Being a Scab?

Most students regard their vacation employment as a means to saving money so that they can financially survive the next academic year. With a depleted Tertiary Study Grant constantly ravished by inflation, this is completely understandable. However, this attitude sometimes leads students to sacrifice others, longer term interests, in order to achieve this goal.

Consequently, when there is a strike to improve working conditions or wages, it is sometimes the students who scab. This is not always the case and often students accept the majority decision. However the examples where students have scabbed, perhaps one of the most notable being at an Auckland Tip Top Factory where the student acted as scab labour throughout a strike, gives students a bad name.

This has two serious repercussions. The first one is that some work could be closed to students because of workers' past bad experiences, and their subsequent refusal to work alongside students. Secondly the Unions could refuse to give students support when they ask for it on such questions as the inadequacy of the new Tertiary Study Grant.

In the past the Unions through the various trades Councils have given students strong support over cuts to their allowances and to the education system generally. They have also been active in assisting students to find holiday employment.

When you scab on a union you are also scabbing on your fellow students. You are placing at risk their future jobs and their future trade Union support.

Sometimes it is a bit of an effort to find out which union you should belong to, or who the union delegate is in your area. But it is in your interests to find out and join the union. After you've been dismissed may be too late.