Congress motions

Motion

Motion title

Zero tolerance for zero-hour contracts

Session

2010-2011

Meeting link

Annual Congress

Meeting date

29 May 2011

Status

Passed

Motion

23

Motion text

Congress notes the dismal and poor work conditions resulting from the use of zero-hour contracts (ZHC) in HE/FE – the permanent lack of job and financial security and the lack of proper holiday, sick pay, maternity or paternity pay, lack of opportunities for professional development and promotion and unequal terms and conditions. Congress also notes that staff on ZHC have no entitlement to in-house training and are frequently excluded from planning and decision-making that deprives them of a sense of belonging to their workplace. Congress further notes that ZHC lack of specificity frequently lead to an undefined amount of unpaid workload. The use of permanent zero hours contracts aims to circumvent the protection intended by the fixed-term regulations, while in fact providing no job security.
Congress also notes the insidious threat to Trade Unionism and to academic freedom and freedom of speech that is posed by the extensive use in HE and FE of zero hours contracts. This arises inevitably in a situation where staff can have their employment terminated without due procedure and for any reason whatsoever, such as taking strike action or expressing an opinion that is unpopular with their managers.
Congress welcomes UCU policy on zero tolerance for ZHC and their elimination.
Congress calls on the NEC to affirm UCU's campaign against the use of ZHC in HE/FE and ensure this campaign forms part of a wider fight for job security. Congress also calls on the NEC to conduct a thorough investigation into the legality of ZHC and the extensive use of such contracts in HE/FE.

Proposing body

Composite

Amended

Yes

Allocated to

Other

Notes