Poor pay throughout company but no union. What can be done?

Question

The company I work for pays poorly. We don't have any union. The basic starting salary for one of the jobs has not changed in 6 years. What can be done to see our wages increase? Can I do anything?

Answer 1

There's nothing you can do legally - as someone else said, the employer does not have to give payrises.

First of all, have you actually asked for a payrise? Set up a meeting with your manager and set out the facts. As this appears to be a company-wide problem, maybe it would be more appropriate for you all to sit down together with the boss and take him through your case. You could have a meeting beforehand (i.e. no boss present) to decide what your arguments will be and to make sure that you're all reading from the same page.

Have a look on Monster (www.monster.com) to find out what you could be earning - look at job postings and use the salary calculator tool. You can use this as the basis for negotiations with your employer. And don't forget to argue that in many organizations, you would have received an annual cost of living increase.

But, one thing to bear in mind - do you get any benefits? Are they any good? If so, don't forget to take this into account. In my current position I earn A LOT more (well about a third more) than I did in my last job. But, in my last job I had some really good benefits, and right now I have none. So it all balances out.

If this fails, would going on strike be an option? It's pretty drastic and should only be a last resort if talking it through has failed. But bear in mind that your employer may treat it as abandoning your duties and take the appropriate disciplinary action (i.e. you'll get fired). However, if there's a lot of you in the same boat that would go along with it, then it may work.

I would advise you to look for another job. It may be that you'll then be offered a raise when you hand in your notice! But I take it from your question that you are being paid well below the market rate, so why would you want to stay there?

Answer 2

As long as everyones pay is at least the minimum wage, you cannot do a thing - union or no union.

Your only option is to look for another job. If enough of you did it they may have to consider giving pay increases to keep you all there.

Mojo
x

Answer 3

Do you remember the McDonald's syndicate history?
So, if most of you are willing to fight, then they can't stop you LEGALLY; but it's going to be rough!

PS:
1. The class struggle is a reality only the communists acknowledged openly - for that legitimated their actions; many capitalist companies will "never" admit there is such a thing - for that will legitimate the workers' actions, restricting the management's actions.
2. As any Romanian, I lived both in communism and capitalism - thus getting to experience both these systems' good and dark sides.

Answer 4

Look for another job. I work for an employer with a small business, I really love the job but the pay is crap, then I think, oh if I move will I like it? will I fit in? what will I do if I don't make a move. If you are happy in your work then stay and be disciplined and keep within your income, if not move on. x

Answer 5

Hostess has been in a downward spiral because 2004, even as they first filed for financial ruin. They couldn't meet the demands of the staff, so that they finally folded. Sucks to be them - workers have the right to decline to a salary they discover too low. If the organization can not meet the demands of the staff, too undesirable for them. feels like yet another social gathering of company failure. i will stay without Twinkies.

Answer 6

Pay a visit to your local job centre

Answer 7

you can only take action if the wage is below the minimum wage. an employer is not obliged to give pay rises.

Answer 8

No one has mentioned the obvious- Ask for a raise... then look for another job if that doesn't work...

Answer 9

Get another job - I would