SURREY County Council has defended its use of zero hour contracts after figures revealed more than 1,800 workers were employed under the controversial agreements.
Zero hour, or "bank" contracts, have been widely criticised nationally as exploitative of workers.
Those on the contracts are not guaranteed set hours – and employers are not obliged to guarantee minimum hours – but employees are expected to be available for a "reasonable" number of shifts, sometimes at short notice.
According to figures obtained by this newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act, 1,812 non-school workers are currently employed on "zero hours" with the council.
Among the roles identified under the controversial contracts are cleaners, firefighters, support assistants and some senior roles, as well as a large number of casual workers.
A spokesman for public sector union Unison said the organisation did not support the use of zero hour contracts but had been working with the county council to ensure fairer contracts and working agreements.
He said: "Unison is opposed in general to the use of zero hours contracts as we believe every employee is entitled to a guaranteed level of work and income. We have been working closely with senior management at Surrey County Council for the last couple of years on this very issue.
"By far the largest number of such employees are support and admin staff and teaching staff. Through negotiation and discussion, Surrey County Council has developed a contract for bank workers which recognises them as permanent roles with all additional employment rights."
He added: "Unison is currently working with the council on developing a survey to ascertain how many of these employees actually choose this type of contract and how many would prefer a set, guaranteed working pattern."
Unison figures show the county council has a total of 5,264 workers on zero hour contracts made up of school and non-school staff and more than 1,000 casual workers.
A council spokesman said: "This is an arrangement that staff choose because of the flexibility it offers them to suit their other commitments.
"Staff on these contracts are an important part of the workforce, providing short-term flexibility for seasonal work, sickness, holidays and peaks in demand.
"They enjoy the same terms and conditions as our other staff and may also hold permanent part-time contracts with the council."
