Childcare and im a reserve

[pulling13]

Hi everyone
First post on here and have a big question
My wife and I have a 6 month old baby and with her to return to work in a few weeks we need to put our little one into a nursery but seem to have problems with royal mail regarding days off as ill be looking after our baby on my day off, i have been asking our guy who does the rotas I need to know when my days off are, I get my 1 in 6 but days in between are random days off and I only find my day the week before and like last week it was changed on the saturday without my knowing which leaves me with difficulties with childcare, I have had many arguments with the manager about my days that get switched and all I get told is that im a reserve and have to deal with it.
I now don't know how to approach this lightly no more and need help with this matter
Thanks

[rehabron]

You have the right to apply for flexible working and put your request in writing and your employer has to give your request reasonable consideration however this may not be approved due to operational needs.
Consult with your union rep to see if its possible to allocate you the same day off each week so that you can meet your parental requirements.

[Joshethanluke]

I have exactly the same problem I on a 30 hour contract and I wanted to reduce my hours due to childcare costs but no so I asked for Saturday off as you can't get childcare on a saturdy as they are not open but no they have nothing to help me at all I am disgusted with way I have been treated child friendly they are not!