NUS Fury at Women's Cuts
THE OCCUPATION OF the NUS' headquarters in June was the peak of opposition to the proposed cuts in spending. There was suspicion of hostage-taking, resulting in the possibility of a police raid.
The National Executive Committee (NEC), faced with a predicted deficit for the year 2001-2 of £228,000, has responded with cuts which have been unpopular with a number of members, including the vocal eSave Our Union' campaign group. Protesters, including members of the NEC itself, occupied the building, which was then evacuated "for health and safety reasons".
A security firm was brought in, and, concerned that two members of the NEC, including the national secretary, Ben Monks, might be being held against their wishes. Contact was made with the ehostages' who were found to be staying there of their own volition.
The leadership of the NEC, far from folding under the pressure of the protest, stated that "We utterly condemn the childish and destructive action taken by those taking part in the occupation." According to the eSave Our Union' leaders, the NEC management then attempting to ban dissident members of the Committee from accessing the NUS buildings. A spokesperson for the Union was unable to comment on this allegation and a reported change in protocol, "preventing NEC members present at training events from attending any meetings not on the official agenda."
Protesters believe that this change is designed to prevent the dissidents from protesting constitutionally and have described this act as "nothing short of an attack on the civil liberties and human rights of the NEC minority."
The objections to the cuts centre largely around claims of overspending by the executive itself, and the minimal cuts in this area, when in other areas redundancies are being discussed. The NEC has denied that the President uses a hire car and a clothing allowance, and has promised to curb NEC travel. It also notes that as the luxurious NUS reception is totally sponsored by Endsleigh Insurance, this is not a drain on NUS resources.
The close relationship between this company and the NUS, demonstrated by the fact that the NUS National President is also Director of Endsleigh Insurance, means that this is not a simple case of corporate sponsorship. The NEC management answers the main allegation, that NUS accounts are not open, by saying that they are always available for viewing by members of the Committee, and that the huge projected deficit did not show on the accounts at the National Conference for the simple reason that a VAT hearing was not concluded until after this time. The result of this hearing means that the Union will lose in the region of £100,000 per year.
Other losses are largely as a result of a decrease in the funding received by University Students' Unions around the country, meaning that they can no longer pay NUS fees at the current level. It is hoped that the cuts, passed overwhelmingly at the National Conference, will help to keep the NUS out of debt and in business for years to come.
4th Oct 2001