TUC and NUS sign campaigning partnership

25 August 2015

The TUC and the NUS will today (Tuesday) sign an agreement for joint campaigning between the trade union and student movements for the coming year.

The partnership will be signed at Congress House in London by TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and by new NUS National President Megan Dunn.

The accord will see the TUC and the NUS commit to work together to fight discrimination on campuses, in workplaces and in wider society, and to defend further and higher education from privatisation.

The organisations will also pledge to join forces to engage students with the world of work, inform young workers of their employment rights and campaign for high quality apprenticeships.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The union and student movement share many values and challenges and this new partnership aims to increase our ability to campaign more effectively together.

“Too many young people are bearing the brunt of the Chancellor’s failed economic plan, stuck in zero-hours, low-paid jobs, saddled with mountains of student debt. Every young worker should be in a trade union, to get their voice heard and their interests represented.”

NUS National President Megan Dunn said: “It is almost ten years ago that one of my predecessors became the first NUS President to speak at TUC Congress. Over that time NUS and the TUC have worked together to campaign to safeguard and extend rights for workers – including working students.

“I am proud that with this agreement we are reaffirming our historical partnership. Working together could not be more important. Faced with cuts to student support, an increase in debt and insecurity at work it is vital that in the year ahead we stand together. This agreement continues and builds on the success of our longstanding commitment to do just that.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
- Congress 2015 will be held in the Brighton Centre from Sunday 13 September to Wednesday 16 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/MediaCredentials2015 and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Tuesday 25 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Brighton and will cost £75.

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Clare Santry  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: csantry@tuc.org.uk