Step up the anti-VSU campaign!

By Wendy Robertson

At its last meeting, the National Union of Students (NUS) national executive decided it would not call a nationally coordinated day of action against the proposed introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSU) until May 6, three months after students begin studying.

Resistance condemns this decision. It is hard to believe that at a time when NUS and the student movement are facing the biggest threat to their existence, the official leadership is refusing to immediately launch a national campaign.

Given NUS's decision, it is up to activists on the ground to take the lead. Resistance is calling on student representative councils, cross-campus education networks and campus education action groups to pass the following motion:

"This (student organisation) condemns the national executive of NUS for its failure to call a national day of action against VSU at the beginning of first semester.

"Trying to ignore VSU will not make it go away. To defeat VSU, an immediate national campaign against it is needed. We call on NUS to reverse its decision and call a national day of action against VSU on March 31."

From GLW issue 348