Youth Workers "Better Than Zero" Hours Contracts

Young union members say they're better than zero hours contracts and being paid below the cost of living.

Delegates ot the STUC's youth conference will discuss their approach to tacking low pay, poor hours and the cost of housing. They will gather at the Beardmore Hotel in Clydebank this weekend, a living wage employer.

Motions up for debate include precarious employment, modern apprenticeships, collective and sectorial bargaining, housing, mental health and others covering issues important to young people in Scotland today.
 
Usman Ali from the GMB,  who will Chair the 75th Conference, said their conference is being held in a hotel that pays the living wage and recognises trade unions, a position "very uncommon" in the hospitality industry.

He said: "We believe that all young people in Scotland should be able to expect dignity at work and in society and our Conference will allow young trade union members to help shape our future, a future with the right to decent housing, a future free from exploitative employers and where young people are encouraged to exercise their human right to be a trade union member, and a future where if these rights are breached, those responsible are held to account.”
 
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, said their Better than Zero campaign was developed "by young people for young people."
 
"[It] has thrown up a litany of poor practice and exploitation of young workers in workplaces throughout Scotland. He said.
 
“Breaches of minimum wage regulations, unlawful deductions from already pitiful wages, young people being unlawfully disenfranchised from trade union membership, young workers being exposed to danger making their way home after late night/early morning working and denial of legal entitlement to rest periods, are only some of the abuses young workers are telling us about.
 
“The Scottish Government is leading the way in developing an economy with fair work at its heart. They acknowledge the role trade unions play through collective and sectorial bargaining in delivering decent lives and dignified work for our members, and we want to ensure young people enjoy fair work free from exploitation.”