h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Surely if she was self-employed and 'rented a chair' in the salon, it would be up to her as to whether she took Saturdays off.

She isn't self-employed so this isn't an issue for her. However, if somebody was renting a chair then there may be some agreement about working a certain percentage of saturdays, as the salon isn't going to regularly want an empty chair on their busiest day. I don't really know how those agreements are worked out.

I agree a union would be the best route for her but she isn't a member of any of them. I am not sure which it would be for hairdressing, maybe one of the shop-worker ones?

These unions would be glad to help:

GMB - The General Union (Which i'm a member of)

Their blurb says:

The GMB keeps membership costs as low as possible. If you work full-time, you pay only £1.95 a week, part-time employees working up to 20 hours a week and those under 18 years pay 99p a week.

What you get: GMB members are much more secure at work because they are part of an effective union of 700,000 members. Whether you work full-time or part-time, and whatever job you do, look what GMB can do for you.
Better Living standards: Union members enjoy better Terms and Conditions of Employment than non-union members.
A Safe and Healthy Workplace: Union members are less likely to be killed or injured at work than non-union.
Legal Backing: The union wins £1,000,000 each week for members and provides advice and cover against legal costs.
A Decent Pension: The GMB is the only union with experts able to offer independant advice.
Help At Work: This includes up-to-date information on the going rates of pay and other conditions.
Skill Building: Through training at work and on union-run courses, the GMB creates new opportunities for you.
Advice and guidance on your legal rights at work.
Advice and guidance on Social Security and Tax.
Low cost insurance for car, home contents and travel.
Personal Finance with loans at competitive rates, a credit
card, mortgages, life assurance and sound advice.
Holiday Club discounts on package holidays.
AA Membership pay less to join.

Contact:
Paul Kenny, Thorne House, 152 Brent Street, London, NW4-2DP
tel 0208 2028272, fax 0208 2022893

TGWU - Represents Anyone, but includes lots of sectors traditionally womens work - textile workers, cleaners, shop workers etc. (Bill Morris their leader is really hardcore, seems a thouroghly good bloke, spoke out for Asylum Seekers at the TUC) - and of course it's the Queen Mum's Union, god bless her, she does a marvellous job, and it's good to know that she has full union protection, in case she gets fired. Which i hope will be soon.

The subscription rates are:
T&G Care at £1.80 a week
T&G CareXtra at £1.95 a week
Special rates apply for part-time and young workers


Transport & General Workers' Union, Transport House, 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8TN Tel: 020 7611 2500 Fax: 020 7611 2555


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Kelli - how did your sister-in-laws interview go? Let us know how things work out for her.

Thanks Rainbow, the interview went really well. We are all just waiting for the letter to come now, it is expected monday or tuesday - I'll let you know! My brother got promoted on Thursday (I am so proud of him) so I am hoping they both have something to celebrate by the end of the month.

She didn't get the job she went for last week but the HR person recommended her for a job in a different part of the organisation and she was accepted today. Woo Hoo!





k

PS Thanks for the good luck messages, I sure they helped thanks to morohic resonance etc.

So is she going to join a Union this time?