Showing LO the door

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) has since 2006 had office space at Villa Eika, the official seat of the Student Parliament, one day a week, in order to counsel students on their rights and duties in the workplace. The Social Democrats helped set up the arrangement, and their leader Ole A. Gjerde is not pleased with the suggestion to throw the trade union out from Villa Eika:

– I see this as a political action, and it surprises me that they would now wish to terminate one of the most sensible things that is happening down there.

Leader of the Left Alliance, Thomas Tallaksen, thinks that there is more than enough room for LO to be able to keep their office at Villa Eika.

– In this case one is squeezing out an offer that actually means something, and they do not seem to be on the offensive. If it is the case that this offer is not being widely used, then the Student Parliament should contribute towards creating more awareness about the arrangement, rather than throwing them out, says Tallaksen.

LO representative at the University of Oslo (UiO), Sigrid Sofia Kleiva-Gramstad, says that she regularly receives inquiries from students during her office hours, both by phone and by e-mail, and that she would like to continue the cooperation with the Student Parliament.

– Very many students are grossly taken advantage of, and our special knowledge on the rights of young part-time workers is a very important resource for the students, she says.

Deputy Leader of the Student Parliament, Jomar Talsnes Heggdal, who wrote the proposition to terminate the arrangement with LO, wants the space to be freed up for computers, flyers and a separate photocopying room. The goal is to stimulate more student activity, and to cultivate Villa Eika as a place for students.

– It is more important for us to organize student activity than it is for LO to have the office. We have registered that there is a low level of activity, and therefore we do not see why LO should be prioritized ahead of other societies at UiO, says Heggdal.

The Student Parliament will decide at their meeting this Thursday whether the arrangement will be terminated.