John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary
says: ‘Ed Miliband is right to identify zero-hours
contracts as an issue of real concern. The current extensive use of
these contracts in largely unorganised workplaces is a clear
indication of abuse.
‘So we are pleased that a future Labour
Government will act to provide rights for workers on zero-hours
contracts, which will end employers ability to demand exclusivity
and provide compensation for late cancellation of shifts.
‘We welcome the proposed help for zero-hours
contract workers to move to a fixed hour contract, but we are
seeking a much shorter waiting period, with zero-hours workers
having a right to contracts reflecting their normal hours after 12
weeks.
‘The next Labour Government has a clear
commitment to take action to tackle the misuse and abuse of
zero-hours contracts and that is to be very much welcomed. We
will continue to campaign for more zero-hours workers to have
stronger rights earlier.
‘We now call on those employers who do use
zero-hours contracts extensively to put their house in order,
provide stability for employees and offer them proper contracts
with guaranteed hours.’
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and
Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest
growing trade union with over 430,000 members. Membership has
increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a
third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail
sector, but the Union also has many members in transport,
distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
For Usdaw press releases visit:
www.usdaw.org.uk/news and
you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion