Northern Region Young Nats and Alfred Street Branch
21 August 2009
Media Statement
Students set to have the same choices as Auckland Uni Students
Northern Region Young Nats welcome the Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill which will allow for voluntary
student membership.
“We’re really pleased that this bill will be heading to Parliament for debate” says Emma Mellow, Northern Region Young
Nats Chair
“The reality is that students remain the only group in society still forced to join a union. Membership to student
associations needs to be an opt-in choice, not an opt-out alternative.”
The Auckland University Young Nats, Alfred St Branch, too welcome the bill.
“Auckland University is unique - we already benefit from Voluntary Membership” says Liam McNamara, Alfred St Chair.
“We strongly support student associations at our tertiary institutions – the student voice is powerful and we, without a
doubt, wish to maintain many of the mechanisms associations provide.”
“But being forced to pay a union membership levy – in fact having to join the union in order to enrol as a student - is
at odds with the way every other sector of society is treated”
“Workers aren’t forced to join CTU, journalists aren’t forced to join EPMU, teachers aren’t forced to join the PPTA So
why students?”
ENDS