I've been working at a small ag/industrial equipment dealer for the last 17 years of my 30 year career as a service technician, and for the last few years I've been doubling as Service Manager as well. As the smaller of three stores under the same ownership, we've always been treated pretty much like the "red headed step child" and have had to operate with a minimum of resources in facilities, manpower and equipment. Even our General Manager is still driving an F150 with over 350,000 miles on it because the owner says we can't afford to get him another truck.

A few weeks ago the owner hired a new saleman (which we definitely needed), then turns around and buys him a brand new truck of his choice. Shortly after that, he hires a guy as a technician and in doing so, totally did an "end run" around me...the Service Manager. I was never consulted, my input was never requested. Then I find out that the new tech is being paid almost $3/hr. more than me, plus he gets all Saturdays off (the rest of us have to work a half-day on Saturdays).

Am I wrong to be PO'd in a major way?? It just doesn't seem right to those of us who have busted our butts to keep this place going all these years. Obviously we're not union, and we have no contract of any kind so the owner can apparently do whatever he wants, but that doesn't make it right. After all these years in this shop I hate the thought of leaving, but I fear that may well have to happen after this crap.

How would you feel? What action would you take?

 

This is why i have worked for myself all these years! I don't blame you for being P/O'd i sure would be. If it were me i would talk to the boss about it and if nothing came of it look to move on.

 

sounds like my old job, i had worked for a company for 16 years, was treated pretty much the same as you, i was training my supervisors and branch managers, new technicians were being hired at several dollars an hour more than i, finally i said ENOUGH! and found a better job, of course when i told them i was leaving they finally started to find the pay raise that they couldn't find all these years, too late smell ya later! and i'm a happier man for it!!

 

You were looking for a job when you got there right? You can leave the same way! I wouldn't put up with that crap!

 

sounds like somebody "knows" someone or something.

Are they relation? This stuff happens everywhere from blue collar work up to corporate america.

 

Yes it seems unfair but is this tech able to offer something that no one else can? One thing to consider is whether or not you have a retirement program. Frequently when folks leave that is where they lose out by having to start all over again. Sometimes that's why the boss pushes them out unfair as it is. I would think carefully before leaving with that much time in and dont burn any bridges. Sometimes boss'es pull this crap to get folks to quit so they dont have to lay people off and pay unemployment. If you stay and he lays you off you might get the last laugh.

 

Certainly, the knee-jerk reaction is to "go off" and then walk out, but having been around the block a few times I know that's not the answer. Right now, I'm trying to hold my tongue and at least get through the rest of the year. After January 1st the company will owe me another two weeks of vacation pay, and I'd like to at least get that out of them.

Finding another job around here isn't all that easy either. We seem to be one of the last places that feels any "economic recovery" and there haven't been any truly good jobs available for quite some time. I'm sure the owner is aware of that, too.

The new tech that was hired in is certainly no friend of the owner. He doesn't like the guy any more than I do, but since they agreed to pay him what he asked for, and he doesn't have to deal with the owner very much at all himself, he agreed to work in our shop. Yes, he does have experience in an area we were lacking in, but by the same token, I have much more experience in other areas that he doesn't have.

I have no problem with the new guy, and with him on board I feel we now have a pretty decent crew. It's the owner and his crap that's really pushing my buttons. Sure seems that so many times he's just looking for ways to tick me off. It's been going on ever since he bought our store and for the life of me I can't figure out what he has against me (or so it would seem). I've even had other employees ask me that very thing.

If I can just keep my head together and my mouth shut for awhile I may find some way to resolve this problem....but it sure won't be easy!!

 

I'd have a sit-down with the owner about this. I gathered from your post that you "found out" about the salary, etc. with the new tech......didn't sound like you actually spoke with the owner after finding this stuff out. Try to have a nice sit-down and firmly state your input to the company, your years of service, and the fact that you've been the "de-facto" service "manager"....which should claim a higher salary anyway (the new guy was just hired as a tech, right?....not a manager?). Be firm, but nice and professional with the owner.

If all of that falls on deaf ears, then quietly look for greener pastures...continue to bust your butt at your current position and DO NOT talk smack to any prospective employers about the job you are considering leaving. Be professional and just mention "professional and personal development" as the reasons for leaving, and talk good about the old place. If you get to "greener pastures"....leave your old place on good terms and with no rancor.......if they didn't pay you what you were worth or otherwise undervalued you, it's their loss......

Hopefully the boss comes around and pays you not only what he's giving the new guy, but adds .50 or $1.00 on top of that........

Good Luck.

 

> After all these years in this shop I hate the thought of leaving, but I
> fear that may well have to happen after this crap.

Popular way to get old people off the health insurance plan and others.

 

I've been working at a small ag/industrial equipment dealer for the last 17 years of my 30 year career as a service technician, and for the last few years I've been doubling as Service Manager as well. As the smaller of three stores under the same ownership, we've always been treated pretty much like the "red headed step child" and have had to operate with a minimum of resources in facilities, manpower and equipment. Even our General Manager is still driving an F150 with over 350,000 miles on it because the owner says we can't afford to get him another truck.

A few weeks ago the owner hired a new saleman (which we definitely needed), then turns around and buys him a brand new truck of his choice. Shortly after that, he hires a guy as a technician and in doing so, totally did an "end run" around me...the Service Manager. I was never consulted, my input was never requested. Then I find out that the new tech is being paid almost $3/hr. more than me, plus he gets all Saturdays off (the rest of us have to work a half-day on Saturdays).

Am I wrong to be PO'd in a major way?? It just doesn't seem right to those of us who have busted our butts to keep this place going all these years. Obviously we're not union, and we have no contract of any kind so the owner can apparently do whatever he wants, but that doesn't make it right. After all these years in this shop I hate the thought of leaving, but I fear that may well have to happen after this crap.

How would you feel? What action would you take?

Do an informal market survey to find out what your skills are actually worth in your area- you might be surprised. I think I just went through this myself...

 

And don't be overly afraid to up and leave (don't burn bridges though - and try to line up another job before departing).
If you have been there for 16years, you are obviously a loyal employee - and you are an asset to them, not the other way around, as such they should treat you in that manner.

Don't be afraid to tell the owner "how it is". If he is reasonable enough - he will man up to the task, and pay you what you are worth. If he isn't, well, you don't want to be working for them anyway.

 

Already some outstanding advice.

Something that has not been mentioned, this new tech may up and quit himself for some reason. I know in the last ten years I've worked at my current job there have been people come in, qualified - a perfect fit for the crew and one day *boom* they're gone... and I'm still here. Unfortunately that has never meant a pay raise, but I'm still adding to my retirement.

 

one reason might be
its always cheaper to promote from within...

 

Been there. I have alot of experience and get a decent pay... decent but not great. New guy got hired, very lil experience, knows NOTHING about electrical systems, hyd systems. Couldnt even change a fuel filter on a diesel engine... now I have to train him. He makes more than me. I dont hold it against him, I blame the management. Cant blame the new guy for getting what he can get coming in, unless he misrepresented himself. I've changed jobs 5 times in the 10 yrs, its the same everywhere, you just have to play a lil hardball and get what YOU want.

 

If this new guy blabbed his salary to everyone he has already committed a workplace felony as far as the boss is concerned. The boss knows the trouble that can cause and probably asked the guy to keep it quiet. The fact that he didnt tells your boss something and the shine on his star may be already fading. Be patient and play a slow hand.