Posts Tagged ‘student unions’

VSM – why it needs to go.

Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, August 2nd, 2018 - 62 comments

In 2010 the ACT Party with the help of National managed to pass a piece of legislation that damaged student democracy, and blatantly ignored public opinion. Voluntary Student Membership or VSM sounds like a horrendous STI, and its impact has been to screw student democracy. Prior to 2010 students had a choice as to whether […]

VTM Bill passes – rejoice!

Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, September 30th, 2011 - 101 comments

Grateful citizens rejoiced this week at the passage of the VTM (Voluntary Taxation Mechanism) bill.

The last student protest?

Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, September 27th, 2011 - 55 comments

One of the big stories last night was the anti-VSM protest at Auckland Uni.  Was it the last one we will see in NZ?  That would suit the Nats very nicely – sheep will be so much easier to fleece…

VSM protest at Otago

Written By: - Date published: 2:26 pm, August 5th, 2011 - 90 comments

About 600 Otago students turned out this morning to meet John Key in protest to the VSM bill. Good to see a strong show of support for student unions!

In praise of resilient communities

Written By: - Date published: 9:24 am, February 25th, 2011 - 124 comments

We hear a lot of, frankly, trite comments in times of disaster about how the people affected are ‘tough’ and a special breed. People are people. But communities can be more resilient in the face of disaster if they have existing civil society organisations to rally around and help coordinate their actions. Canterbury Students’ Association is a perfect example.

Student freedom

Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, December 22nd, 2010 - 109 comments

National and Act are attacking student unions.  The cover story is freedom of association, but it’s bollocks, freedom of association is already protected.  Without the unions students will still have to pay.  But they will lose the rich social and cultural heritage of the unions, lose the learning experiences that the unions provide, and lose their independence.  Hey students – does that sound like a good deal to you?

A suggestion for students

Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, September 27th, 2010 - 154 comments

The voluntary student union membership bill is based on a false premise, and a reflexive tory hatred for the word “union”.  I have a suggestion for students…

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