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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think we deserve better?

39 replies

Blackout234 · 31/12/2014 05:34

DP has been working as a mechanic since he was 16 (Started as an apprentice) between 16-19 he went to college full time and worked at the garage he is with now part time, he qualified fully at NVQ level 3 when he was 19, he is now 26, he works at the garage for 9-3:30 Mon-Fri and is only on 190 a week. He does everything from winter servicing to clutch changes all the way up to full suspension and engine rebuilds. He also does MOT's. There are 2 other people working there, the boss and the bosses son, the boss books in work for all 3 of them then leaves work to go for a "drive" and doesn't return for hours, the bosses son does the same with his lunch hour. Leaving at 12 and sometimes not even returning so my dp is always left with a double workload. There have been times (about 15 this year) where both have left and dp has had to stay in the garage as late as 7:30/8pm until someone gets back as he doesnt have the keys to lock up the garage and if he leaves the garage open and something is damaged or stolen dp is liable.
We're in south wales, he works in a garage between abergavenny and cwmbran, there are no jobs local and no demand for mechanics so it looks like we're going to have to move elsewhere where there are more jobs available for mechanics, Possibly the midlands which is at least 3hrs away so no chance of a daily commute. Aibu to think we deserve better?

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 31/12/2014 09:13

Have you had any professional advice regarding his CV, cover letter and your marketing?

hauntedhenry · 31/12/2014 09:17

First thing to do is for your dh to ask for a pay rise. Ask to see the boss and explain what you have told us here. If you don't ask you don't get, and by not protesting about the situation your dh is inadvertently allowing it to continue. He has nothing to lose.
If he doesn't get a result then I would definitely think about moving. Why not? Do it now, before your baby grows up and starts school, it will be easier.

KnackeredMerrily · 31/12/2014 09:20

He should book a day's holiday, go into the city with thr best chance of a job and visit garages, ask for the boss, hand over a CV in person. Make q good impression

Viviennemary · 31/12/2014 09:25

That is a raw deal. Could he supplement this for the time being by taking on some extra work at weekends whilst he looks for something better. And then as somebody else said try and build up some contacts.

GnomeDePlume · 31/12/2014 09:59

My suggestion for supermarket work was simply to get a regular income.

Congratulations on starting a family but that means that making some changes is more important now.

As pretty much everyone is suggesting you (both of you) need to do something. Lots of different suggestions on this thread so I hope they give you and your DP some ideas to think about.

BloominNora · 31/12/2014 10:07

Has he thought about applying for the AA, RAC or Green Flag?
www.theaacareers.co.uk/job-search

Welshmaenad · 31/12/2014 10:19

There are loads of mechanics jobs going in South Wales at the moment. :-/

Izzy24 · 31/12/2014 11:19

I'm surprised to hear there are loads of jobs for mechanics- good news if there are but be careful if the zero hours in the small print.

It's a bit of a Catch 22, because rent will be so much higher elsewhere. I think a supermarket job could be helpful if you take into account staff discounts.

Never has the phrase 'the rich get richer and the poor get poorer ' been more apt than in today's troubled economic times IMO.

Charlie Brooker just about summed it up in his 2014 programme last night.

KenAdams · 31/12/2014 12:16

I was also going to suggest AA/RAC but I'm not sure how much it pays.

alwaysme22 · 31/12/2014 12:21

Hi, blackout234, I have just sent you a message.

Original poster

Blackout234 · 01/01/2015 04:54

Welshmaenad, There are very few jobs. There are a few dealerships in newport and cardiff (a decent distance but easy enough) that are recruiting and dp has applied, however so far there've been over 300 applicants, so i'm not sure he will get anywhere near an interview.
The rest are for apprenticeships, zero hour contracts or HGV's, dp is qualified with light vehicle only, Not HGV's. So at a glance there may seem there are "quite a few" jobs, when there are only about 40 around, 20 of which he can do and 5 of which hes willing to do (Some require working in europe, or are zero hour contracts which could spell for an even more predictable income)I wish dp could set up as a mobile mechanic but we need something stable, if we have two mobile jobs it could be disastrous for us as there'd be no income.
He applied with the AA and got nowhere but he is applying for various roadside assistance roles, x

OP posts:

Original poster

Blackout234 · 01/01/2015 04:55

And to those who've sent me a message im trying to reply but my phone hates my guts, sorry for the wait x

OP posts:

Sweetpea15 · 01/01/2015 23:22

All I can say is keep applying. I'm in South Wales too and my brother was in a similar position but he has an interview with a dealership in a few weeks. Dealerships pay better and look better on a CV (doesn't always mean they treat you better though). There seem to be quite a few jobs going ATM but the process can take ages. Good luck, I hope he finds something soon x

MrsTawdry · 01/01/2015 23:40

He is very young. Can I suggest that you open a Facebook page for him and start advertising via selling sites and get your friends to spread and like the page.

Advertise as an evening mechanic who visits locally and weekends or whenever he's off work.

Save this money. Use it towards either opening his own garage or moving to a better job.

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