Protests at lipstick sacking

A STREET protest was staged yesterday at the Inverness branch of Blacks, the national chain of outdoor activities stores, over the dismissal of Elaine Blackhall, 46, a sales assistant who claims she was sacked for applying lipstick while working on the shop floor.

Ms Blackhall said: "I made sure there were no customers in at the time because I realise it may be seen as a bit offensive to put it on in front of anyone.

"But it’s nice to look presentable when working with the public and I saw no problem because no-one was about."

The Scottish Socialist Party yesterday supported Ms Blackhall by staging the protest outside Blacks store on the city’s Union Street. Steve Arnott, a party spokesman, urged the public to boycott the shop, saying: "This is a ridiculous situation. No formal procedures were taken - no warnings. Elaine was simply dismissed after two-and-a-half months loyal service to this company.

"She has no right of recourse to an industrial tribunal and that is the result of years of restrictions in workers’ rights which were first introduced by the Tories and have been carried on by New Labour."

Ms Blackhall, who only started working at the store in April, said she is unable to take her former employers to an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal because she has worked there less than a year.

Blacks declined to comment.