Students have rights

Regarding “Tentative pact for some UC workers” (Bay Area & Business, Nov. 30): The overworking and underpayment of students is a national issue.

Many students, including myself, have felt the pressure to get an unpaid internship. While the experience is excellent, experience can’t pay for food and bills.

During my year-long unpaid internship, despite being told it was 15 hours a week maximum, there were multiple times when my co-worker and I worked for 12 hours a day. Our work weeks ranged from 20 to 70 hours, and there was no stipend for gas or meals.

No student should have to struggle to pay for basic human necessities. UC strikers are paving the way for student labor rights, and because of this, there is a high likelihood that we will see more movements like this across the country.

Students have rights and are very valuable to corporations; it’s time that we stop allowing ourselves to be exploited.

Jillian Morton, Manteca, San Joaquin County