To be frustrated about long term/ casual contract

[AloeAloeVera]

I’ve worked for the local council for years. In my service area there’s only a manager, then casual contracts/ zero hours.
In reality I have long term commitments where each year I plan ahead with services users. My work is concentrated, I can work full time hours or have much quieter part time weeks. I guess on average I work 2.5 days a week.
It feels unfair after years to still have no sickness benefits/ a right to cancel work at their end (in theory I can too, but I’d lose work I’m sure and it’s expected I plan ahead for the year).
I do think there should be better legislation around this practice.
I know people will say ‘change jobs’, but I otherwise like my role. I just feel frustrated that it’s allowed to operate in a way that benefits employers but is so poor for employees

If you've worked there continuously for 4 years or more it is my understanding that unless the council put forward a justification for the job still being casual, then the post should have auto converted into a permanent position.

Some have been working far far longer. It’s like we’re a forgotten sub group of people for whom it’s always been the way.

i guess I’m just having a moan, I worry about the lack of sickness benefits etc sometimes. It started off casual in expectation but I’ve slipped into the position where I book in dates a year in advance and buy in is done with by availability agreed expressly.

It feels like I’ve done the typical female thing, agreed to part time and a job I can fit around kids and lost more than is fair.

Have you asked about becoming an employee?

Id call ACAS and see what they say.