In documents obtained by the Reporter, council CEO Joyce Whyte, said: “We also have 737 casual workers registered with WDC (including any of the arm’s length organisations/agencies) of which 256 are supply teachers.

“Lists of casual workers are reviewed annually and this exercise is currently in progress.” Casual workers for West Dunbartonshire Council are sometimes hired on a contract which stipulates 0.00 hours.

The Reporter previously reported how one 0.00 hour job was advertised by the local authority for the soon to be shut Ardlui Outdoor Education Centre.

Ms Whyte also stated circumstances change week to week and in the week of April 5 of this year, 36 ‘casual’ workers were needed, and in the week beginning May 12, only one casual worker was used.

When asked if it used ‘zero-hours’ contracts on the Ardlui vacancy, the council previously stated it opposed the use of zero-hour contracts ‘that bind people to one employer with no guarantee of work’.

A council spokeswoman said: “As we have stated before West Dunbartonshire Council opposes the use of zero-hour contracts that bind people to one employer with no guarantee of work, make them afraid to turn down work and withdraw future work if they do. We would never employ workers on such contracts, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is simply wrong.

“Like all councils we face a number of unpredictable circumstances such as absence, unexpected or last minute events, and instances where there is a statutory duty to provide cover. For such circumstances we have a casual and supply pool that we can approach to see if they are available to help.

“These workers are free to refuse the council’s offer, are free to work for other organisations, and are both entitled to and paid for annual leave. This arrangement works well for the council and for the individuals because it provides flexibility and the offer of work at times that suit them.

“The council takes its equality and employment responsibilities very seriously and the usage of casual and supply workers is regularly monitored.The council states these ‘casual’ workers are not zero-hours contracts because staff are able to look for other work, and take up other jobs while being kept on council retainer.” However, Leven councillor Jim Bollan has criticised the description of the ‘casual’ contracts. He said: “The latest figures show there are 737 workers on these pernicious poverty inducing ZHC which also have grossly inferior conditions, employed by the Labour council. Many of those on ZHC are replacing workers who used to have full time contracts and were guaranteed hours and paid appropriately.

“I have spoken to council workers on these contracts who have no guaranteed hours, inferior sickness, holiday and other benefits, can’t plan more than a week in advance, frightened to refuse a half shift as they know they will not be phoned again by the council, can’t receive benefits because they have a contract even though they are guaranteed zero hours.

“More and more workers on these contracts are being forced into poverty and having to seek assistance from foodbanks and money advice agencies. Not content with the 737 people on ZHC, the Labour council are going further by recruiting 842 volunteers to do work normally done by council employees, which should be paid employment.

“Employees on zero-hour contracts now make up around 10 per cent of the council workforce.” In response, council leader Martin Rooney told the Reporter: “The council agreed its casual workers policy in 2009 following consultation with the recognised trades unions.

“The council uses a pool of casual/supply workers to help it deal with shortfalls in staffing without the need to revert to agency workers and the associated additional costs.

“The bank/supply workers include supply teachers and exam invigilators; and home carers and residential care workers to help the council meet statutory requirements.

“Casual workers are also used from time to time to cover for short notice call offs in other non-statutory services. Casual staff are not required to accept offers of work.

“They are not tied to the council and are of course free to take on work from other employers.

“Where work is accepted the casual worker is paid the rate for the job and cannot be sent home early. Many of the bank/supply workers that the council invest in go on to take up permanent contracts with the council, particularly in areas like residential care for the elderly.” Bill Cairns, employment law expert and partner at Cairns Brown Solicitors in Alexandria, told the Reporter: “From a legal point of view, a contract which does not guarantee any minimum number of hours in a given time period is still a ‘zero hours contract’ on any view. The council appears to suggest that these sorts of contracts are ‘a good thing’, and that may be a genuinely held view. Based on comments which my Firm receives from clients who have such contracts, most employees do not consider their contract to be a good thing.” The council would not clarify how many of the 700 ‘casual’ workers are hired on 0.00 hour contracts.