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