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Unitec staff go on strike - Source: ONE News -
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The Students Association of a North Island polytechnic is considering legal action after teachers decided to withhold students' marks.
It comes as 150 Unitec staff took to the picket line on Friday in a worsening pay dispute.
Unitec's student president, Greg Powell, says students risk not being able to find employment next year and some are even considering dropping out of study.
"Students are feeling like the meat in the middle of the sandwich," Powell says.
Around 300 students at Auckland's Unitec alone have had classes cancelled or exams postponed since strikes began two months ago.
Welding student Penny Cowie was supposed to be sitting an industry certification on Friday, but it didn't happen due to the strike action.
"It's terrible...I've paid a lot of money to be here...I'm doing trades because I really believe in it, and there's no one here to take us because of industrial action," she says.
However, if and when she finally sits the exam, she might not receive any marks.
Striking lecturers have decided to withhold results, making it hard to apply for jobs or funding for more study next year.
The Students Association is now seeking legal advice, hoping for an answer before it is too late for some students.
