Workers on Uni Council

Victoria University would be the first university in New Zealand to include non-academic staff representatives on its governing body, the university council, if an appeal from the non-academic staff is accepted.

At its last meeting the University Council deferred until September ber a resolution supporting in principle non-academic staff representation on Council.

In submissions already made to the Standing Committee of Council the Chairman of the Victoria University of Wellington Branch of the Association of University Non-Academic Staff, Mr A.A. McNaught, points out that there are some 380 non-academic staff as against 410 academic staff.

"Among the non-academic staff there is a wealth of experience based on many years of service to the university."

"It is our belief that this experience could, if represented, result in a valuable contribution to Council's work."

Included among the non-academic staff of the university are a wide range of staff working as librarians, technicians, groundsmen, administrators and caretakers.

The current appeal for representation came from a special general meeting of the non-academic staff association held in May.

Speaking to the branch in May the Personel Officer, Mr Derek Shouler, argued that the idea of worker representation in management is one that has strong advocacy outside the university, in industry and in public administration.

"The trustee from the tool-room is now an accepted figure.

"A good deal has been said over the years of the democratic nature of the university, and the need for representative government of the institution.

"You read about it in the student newspapers, and have heard about it in speeches and papers delivered on various occasions.

"Indeed we would be hard pressed to find anywhere in this university anyone who would publicly argue against this concept.

"Yet it seems to have been overlooked by even the most vocal advocates of university democracy that in a democracy everyone is involved not merely those who by long custom and traditions have exercised a preemptive right to have their views considered.

"I am sure that those who carry out the day-to-day burden of making the university work, from manning the telephones to preparing laboratory classes, from controlling parking to administering exams, would be able to be of real assistance."