Student nurses "paid £50 for 35 hour week"

STUDENT nurses attending new university diploma courses are being paid £50 for a 35 hour week, it was claimed at the Union of Students in Ireland annual congress yesterday.

Ms Orla Wardrick, a second year nursing student, told the congress she and colleagues had the same workloads as other nurses employed full time by hospitals, but are paid between half and a quarter of their wages and this was exploitation.

The union agreed to lobby for equality of opportunity and remuneration, and to investigate the links between colleges and hospitals.

The USI is to meet officials of the Irish Nurses' Organisation to co ordinate efforts.

Also yesterday, the congress agreed to campaign for the provision and regulation of non directive abortion counselling, and to assist pro choice groups to reorganise.

However, a motion opposing a referendum which would ban abortion under any circumstances was defeated. With views on the issue split among delegates, it was decided that the union should not take a stance on any prospective referendum.

While the congress failed to agree on another clause condemning elements of the anti abortion movement, it did criticise "the incompetence of government in legislating on the substantive issue in the X case."

Earlier in the afternoon the congress called for the outlawing of on campus "licence to reside" accommodation schemes, which attempted "to curtail normal student behaviour".

UCD's on campus apartment complex, which ties students to this scheme instead of normal tenancy agreements, was criticised for operating like "a school dormitory". Ms Fiona Kenny of UCD said that residents under the scheme could be evicted for putting up posters or having overnight guests.

Concern was also expressed over an alleged lack of financial accountability in third level institutions. UCD was accused of increasing student charges without explanation.