Glasgow City Council Criticised Over Use Of Zero Hour Contracts

According to newly published figures, the number of people working for Glasgow City Council working on zero hour contracts has risen by 18% in a year. The numbers have led to severe criticism of the council with the organisation having “no contractual obligation to provide work".

The number of people on zero hour contracts now working for the government has risen to 1,689 people, up from 1,436 in the previous year.

The vast majority of those working for the council work in the employment sector with exam invigilators, classroom assistants and supply teachers all working with zero hour contracts.

As well as having some staff on such contracts, many of the city council’s “at arms length organisations” operate using zero hour contracts. Glasgow Life and Cordia both employ people on zero hours contracts, with the vast majority working in the hospitality and the "sports service" sectors.

Glasgow’s Zero Hour Contracts

The news comes despite Labour, who run the Council, having a strict policy of attempting to ban zero hour contracts. However, when reported by the Evening Times, it is understood that most of the workers on zero hour contract have benefits that most other workers on zero hour contracts do not have. All council workers on said contracts are entitled to sick pay, maternity pay and holiday leave unlike workers on zero hour contracts for private firms.

Despite this Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) stated that he still had "concerns" about the increase in the number of zero hour contract workers.

He said: "Whilst it seems clear that a proportion of these jobs are genuinely casual in nature, it is incumbent on the relevant council departments to review their staffing plans with the unions locally to assess whether there are better ways of managing service in a way which increases levels of employment security for those amongst this number who desire it."

Zero Hour Contracts

Zero hour contracts were a political hot potato during the General Election campaign in 2015 with former Labour leader Ed Miliband vowing to end such contracts in the UK.

Many of the private firms utilising zero hour contracts do not entitle their staff to holiday pay, maternity leave or sick pay. Furthermore, the weekly work hours are not consistent with shifts varying based on needs. This effectively means that many workers on such contracts are not given financial stability, shifts can be cancelled at the last minute, many worked below the minimum wage and many members of staff cannot take time off without losing income. 

Although the controversial contracts have received much criticism in the political world, many believe that zero hour contracts offer workers flexibility and can lead staff working when they prefer.

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