Week 11 - Lent Term 2018

Should LSESU support the rights of student workers?

Proposed by: Jessica Elms (Social Mobility and Class officer)

Seconded by: Banu Hammad (Social Mobility & Class Officer-Elect)

This Union Notes

1. LSESU employs students on Zero-Hours Contracts
2. Zero-Hour Contracts do not guarantee hours of work.
3. LSESU is a member of NUS
4. NUS has policy against the casualization of work and job insecurity including zero-hours contracts [1]
5. 38% of employers in the education sector use zero hours contracts[2]
6. 77% of students undertake some form of work whilst studying to ease financial pressures[3]
7. Over 67% of LSE students have experienced poor mental health.[4]
8. Zero-Hour Contracts cause poor mental health of employees[5]
9. Workers Unions including UNISON believe zero hour contracts are not compatible with developing a professional workforce[6]
10. Unison state that zero hour contracts discourage complaints regarding working conditions that are made by employees in fear of repercussions.

This Union Believes

1. Zero-Hours Contracts are fundamentally exploitative.
2.  Zero Hour Contracts do not empower students to choose when to work in fear of future repercussions.
3. Students should be able to work flexibly while ensuring financial stability whilst ensuring that they can focus on their studies.
4. Student Workers are under intense financial and academic pressures especially in Central London.
5. Zero-hours contracts disproportionality affect the mental health of lower socio-economic students who work to fund their studies.
6. LSESU should be promoting the wellbeing and good mental health of all LSE students
7. Contracts should equally balance power between employer and employee
8. Workers should be entitled to basic rights such as Maternity/Paternity Pay, Sick Pay, Holiday Leave.
9. Zero-Hours Contracts have the ability to benefit some Student workers whilst studying, however do not benefit all students.
10. Zero-hour contracts are not a sustainable long-term business model[7]
11. Students should have the opportunity to communicate contracts that work best for their needs.

This Union Resolves

1. That the General Secretary will make a public statement that LSESU is against the use of enforced Zero-Hours Contracts when it exploits workers and especially students.
2. That LSESU will offer all students who they employ the option to have a minimum annualised hour’s contract as noted in UK Government Policy. This ensures zero hour contracts are optional
3. That LSESU’s NUS Delegates will vote in favour for policy motions at NUS national conference that give workers more rights.
4. That LSESU will remove the use of zero hours contracts unless specifically requested by a potential/current employee. This empowers individuals to choose the contract that suits them.
5. That LSESU will develop a guide to employment during studies which give students information on their rights in employment.
6. LSESU will research current employment trends and working conditions in LSE students and will produce a report on how it affects a Students Wellbeing and Studies.
7. LSESU’s Social Mobility and Class Officer will use the report to lobby for better financial assistance in Lower Socio-Economic Students.
8. That LSESU contracts issued to student staff should offer the basic rights of Maternity/Paternity Pay, Sick Pay and Holiday Leave.

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