With so many services out-sourced by Brent Council the issue of their workers' conditions of employment is of major interest to council tax payers. Following a conversation with a Civic Centre security guard, who revealed that he was on a zero hours contract, I put a Freedom of Information request to the Council asking how many workers of organisations supplying out-sourced services to Brent Council were on such contracts.
Brent Labour councillors have voiced concerns about such contracts and the administration is committed to the London Living Wage. However, this means little if procurement procedures do not ensure that out-sourced workers enjoy proper contracts with sick pay, holiday pay and pension entitlement and at the LLW or above.
The Council, under immense financial pressure, can distance itself from poor employment conditions, by handing responsibility over to the private companies involved. However, if they have been pursuing best financial value as the main criterion for awarding contracts, they collude in insecure employment and low wages.
This is Brent Council's response to my Freedom of Information request LINK for information on the number of Council employees and contractors supplying Council services on zero hours contracts:
Brent Labour councillors have voiced concerns about such contracts and the administration is committed to the London Living Wage. However, this means little if procurement procedures do not ensure that out-sourced workers enjoy proper contracts with sick pay, holiday pay and pension entitlement and at the LLW or above.
The Council, under immense financial pressure, can distance itself from poor employment conditions, by handing responsibility over to the private companies involved. However, if they have been pursuing best financial value as the main criterion for awarding contracts, they collude in insecure employment and low wages.
This is Brent Council's response to my Freedom of Information request LINK for information on the number of Council employees and contractors supplying Council services on zero hours contracts:
Brent does not have employees on zero hour contracts but does utilise theMy follow up request states:
services of casual workers for specific activities.
We do not hold information on employment statuses within contracted
organisations.
I am afraid that this reply is not satisfactory. As the Council has been critical of 'zero hours' contracts and is committed to the London Living Wage I feel it is incumbent on the Council to ensure that workers in contracted organisations providing council services, enjoy the conditions that the Council advocates.I therefore request that Brent Council follows up this request by ascertaining from contracted organisations:1. The number and proportion of workers supplying Brent services paid the London Living Wage or higher.2. The number and proportion of workers supplying Brent services on zero hours or casual contracts.