Received from: GMB
In response to NHS employers calling on 21 August 2026 for a ‘pause’ on Labour’s ban of zero-hours contracts due to the potential impact on bank shift arrangements, Congress believes:
i. for many workers, NHS bank arrangements do not provide genuine two-way flexibility, as workers take on the risks of having not enough work, of unpredictability in shifts and have limited access to full employee rights, protections and benefits
ii. many NHS trusts are reluctant to approve staff flexible working requests and engage staff on bank shifts instead of paying nationally agreed overtime rates under Agenda for Change, causing insecurity and hardship for NHS workers
iii. exempting the NHS from reforms to zero-hour contracts would set a dangerous precedent that unscrupulous employers could use to weaken worker protections provided by the Employment Rights Act 2025
iv. any impact on sector-specific arrangements from banning zero-hour contracts should be resolved through employers engaging in proper workforce planning with collective agreement with recognised sector unions.
Congress resolves that the TUC must urgently:
a. call on the Labour government to oppose any calls for delay, exemption or weakening of its manifesto commitment to banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, ensuring everyone has the right to have a contract that reflects the number of hours they regularly work based on a twelve-week reference period
b. support NHS workforce unions’ campaigns for the full implementation of Agenda for Change terms and conditions across the NHS workforce, including proper arrangements for flexible working and overtime.