Wage Negotiation Help Wanted

[dpert1]

So heres the scoop, I was hired at a construction company a week and a half ago for the summer at $7.50 an hour. I'v had no working experience in construction but i took every shop class my HS had to offer so i have used nearly every tool they have on site. I will be a sophomore in collage next semester. I work 40+ hours a week. For the job I am on now I'm doing carpentry work. What would be the best way to talk to my boss to bring my pay up to what i hear is the typical $9-10 an hour?

 

[MrChad]

You're expecting a raise after a week and a half on the job?

 

[RichUK]

?I want? always gets.

 

[drinkmorejava]

I get $8.00/hr at super america (gas station); most of the time I'm cashier for the whole shift.

you should def be able to get more if you're doing real work

 

[nonameo]

Find another job if you've only been there a week.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: MrChad
You're expecting a raise after a week and a half on the job?

Having worked peripherally with construction types, I think the best thing you can do to get a raise is be prompt and work your ass off for a few months. Nothing pisses a job foreman off faster than no-shows or lazy asses. Earn the raise, then ask for it.

 

[mugs]

You want a 30% raise after a week and a half? :laugh:

 

[jiggahertz]

You should have negotiated before you started.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz
You should have negotiated before you started.

Bingo!
Contractors don't like people who want more money after only 1 week. If you really are worth more money, tell him straight up that you think your skill set is worth more than he's paying, and quit if he says no.
There is no HR to cry to in construction, you either prove yourself or you walk.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Get an offer with someone else, then talk to him. He won't pay more because you want it, but rather only because the market says so. In this case, it's easier if you can get an offer from someone else willing to pay you more.

 

[dpert1]

ok to clarify, there was never really a time to negotiate wage in the beginning otherwise i would have. Yes it is a raise i want but not really, i just want to be bumped up to typical pay for a laborer, not a gas station attendant. Not to mention its a small company, my boss is really cool, and my forman/crew and i get along great. I was just wondering the best way to approach the situation...

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: dpert1
ok to clarify, there was never really a time to negotiate wage in the beginning otherwise i would have. Yes it is a raise i want but not really, i just want to be bumped up to typical pay for a laborer, not a gas station attendant. Not to mention its a small company, my boss is really cool, and my forman/crew and i get along great. I was just wondering the best way to approach the situation...

Talk to your coworkers and see if they have any advice.

 

[orakle]

You're getting forked. $7.50 an hour for back-breaking labour? outside? get outta here. Minimum wage where I live is $8 CDN/hour (about $7 US). Surely someone with your skill set and experience can find a better paying job than that.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: orakle
You're getting forked. $7.50 an hour for back-breaking labour? outside? get outta here. Minimum wage where I live is $8 CDN/hour (about $7 US). Surely someone with your skill set and experience can find a better paying job than that.

1) We don't know if it's under the table or not
2) If he can't get an offer from someone else, this is all he's worth even if he is worth more than that.

It's like if you think a product is worth $1000, but the market will only pay $500 - might be worth $1k to you, but everyone else says $500, so $500 is what it is.

I'm probably overthinking this, but basically, the OP needs to either talk to his boss about it and hope he will cooperate, or get an offer from someone else and ask him to match it or beat it.

 

[Robert Munch]

7.50 is weak for labor work you can flip burgers for more money with less sweat involved. Stick around if you plan on being in construction, but look for other opportunities while working on the job for more $$$. 7.50 is peanuts unless this is your first job.