More and more students take on part-time and even full time work as financial pressures increase owing to top up fees. Over two thirds of full-time students now have jobs to support them whilst studying.

 

 

Because many students are on short-term contracts and because there are so many students looking for jobs, you are more likely to be exploited by an employer.

 

Also, the numbers of students that are members of trade unions is low, so it is recognised by some employers that students are less likely to dispute treatment they may feel is unfair, and that they are often less aware of their rights.

 

Large numbers of students work long hours without breaks, are poorly paid and may be unfairly dismissed from jobs. The pressure to maintain a job can cause students to compromise their studies.

                 

·  Find out the up to date legislation on your rights at work: Click here

   

· Concerned about your work? Come and speak to our advice team at UPSU or email  advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk or call 01752 232281

 

 

 

· Trade unions have collective bargaining power and can represent your case to employers on your behalf.

· With a membership of around 6.5 billion workers collectively, trade unions have legitimate power which employers and government must listen to.

· Last year unions won a record £330 million compensation for their members through legal action.

 

 

WHAT TRADE UNION CAN YOU JOIN? – Info available in the SU

 

 

UNITE:    General union for working students employed in any sector. (NB:

                Unite was formerly Amicus)

 

GMB:      General workers union.

 

 

CWU:      Communication Worker’s Union (postal workers and related   

                services, telecommunications, cable TV industry, Accenture HR   

                Services, the Alliance and Leicester and Girobank).

 

 

UNISON:  For people working in public services, voluntary and private

                sectors. NB – Students on vocational courses in this sector can

                also join as students (e.g. health and social work students).

 

 

PCS:       Public and Commercial Services Union.

 

 

USDAW:  Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.

 

 

NUT: National Union of Teachers

 

NASUWT: The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers 

 

UCU: University and College lecturers Union