Can my firm take my rate off me? (JIB related)

[Davey101]

My firm is JIB registered, and employs me as an approved electrician. I also get 40p over the rate (whoopee!)

Due to hard economic times (and also the fact that they dont really want to employ any of us any longer, prefering to use subbies), they seem to be making some cutbacks.

I, and at least one other spark, received a letter this morning, informing me that they will be taking this 40p off us. I've been with them since school, so the rate has been given to me, rather than it being the rate that I agreed on when I joined them.

FYI, the rate was given to us for responsibilty, because we ran jobs, and were deemed a little more capable than some others (a lot of the other lads are younger and less experienced, not because I think I'm great).
I am, or rather was, refered to as a 'senior approved electrician', a term our firm used.

I am now mostly just a site spark, although for the last 2 or 3 jobs I have been the main tester, or have been involved with testing to some extent.

My question is- although the rate was just given to me, and wont be in my contract, can they just take it off me whenever they want?

Do sparks generally get paid more for testing ( the jobs are largish), as most people I speak to assume I'm on a higher rate for testing.

Cheers, Dave.

 

[bugsy]

This is going to happen a lot , Firstly check you contract of employement regarding rates, secondly why were you paid the additional 40p , if it was for additional resposibilty do you still have this responsabilty ,
As you say this a cost cutting exercise , are the subbies anygood ( not being rude )

 

[Davey101]

The rate was for 'responsibilty', being a little more experienced than some other Sparks on our firm and running jobs. I'm not the only one above the rate, and there are some on a higher rate than me, with the foremen obviously being higher again.
Arriving on site on monday morning, I found out that they have taken everyones rate off them. We have a 'mate' who does work above his grade, basicaly he is more like an improver. They have knocked him down to labourers rate.
I used to be on our 'small works' department, basically any job upto £250,000. Small works has closed down, so I'm on site now, doing general works (I was also chargehand on a job last year).
In effect, I dont have any more responsibilty than any other spark now, and this is the reason stated in the letter for taking my rate away.

I would presume that if my post no longer exists, then they should lay me off, or give me the option of doing a lower paid job, rather than take my rate away without even consulting me?

Phoned the JIB, and they were'nt very helpfull, simply stating that they would only recognise me as an approved electrician.

The subbies are all pretty good TBH, probably better than me

 

[bugsy]

As I said there cost cutting , Looking at from the companies veiw point there have proberbly done the right thing (sorry ) if it's going to save job's in the long term .
Hopefully they hav'nt been buying job's for the short term and run out steam.

 

[oldtimer]

Davy
In this current climate better to lose 50p than the whole JIB rate ie visit to the jobcentre on Monday.

Dont get me wrong I am not saying roll over and die for them but if they are losing work then ok you can deal with it but if it is just an excuse to cut the money then pay you as a approved spark then thats what they get

 

[Davey101]

Agree about cost cutting, and saving jobs. TBH though, we really dont think its about that. They have laid people off, and taken them back on 2 weeks later as Subbies.
They've also cut us all down to a 38 hour week, and then employed at least as many subbies as blokes on the books (nothing against subbies by the way).
There are loads of things I wont bore you with.

The question wasn't 'should they cut my rate', simply 'can they'.

Cheers, Dave.

They only get an approved spark now, nothing more

Edit-I hope my tone doesn't come across as though I think I'm something special-I'm not. Like I said, there are plenty of blokes on more than me. A bit of recognition, and encouragment would be nice though.

 

[fillitup]

Im not working for a JIB firm at moment, but from what I have been hearing the JIB have left it up to the firms to decicde what rates to pay, several firms I know of lowered the rate last year and didnt give a rise this year.Its basically take it or get made redundant.