Action to stop the temporary contract trap

The STUC was urged to push for mass conversion of fixed-term to permanent contracts as the new rules come in on 10 July this year.

The regulations mean that from 10 July 2006 anyone with more than 4 years' service, on at least their second contract (or on a contract that has been previously renewed or extended) can regard their post as permanent unless their employer can 'objectively justify' the continued use of a fixed-term contract.

UNISON's Gillian Dick, backing the Association of University Teachers, told delegates, " Two million temporary workers in the UK today are victims of employment loopholes which leave them with low pay, stagnant careers and uncertain futures. They are caught in the temporary contract trap".

"We believe that the way forward for most organisations is a stable staffing policy through negotiation and agreement."

That policy should include:-

• Only using temp contracts when it can be proved they are absolutely necessary.
• Better still, only using temp contracts for maternity or ill-health cover.

Gillian also slammed the short term and ring fenced funding in local government that forces so many fixed term contracts when the services clearly need to be mainstreamed and permanent.

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