I work at a chain shop, let’s call it “Bep Poys”. I had to fight, when I got hired, to start at $14.50 an hour. In the area that I live in, that is dog shit.
I am ASE Certified in most basic care work. Suspension, Brakes, Engine, etc. Which are all tests I had to pay for myself.
I have my own tools, that I paid for myself. No shop in my area would even consider buying their mechanics THAT WORK FOR THEM their tools. In fact, I have seen places that LEASE tools to their OWN MECHANICS to use ON THE JOB.
On top of all this, I only earn money when I am actually working on a car. This is called “flat rate” and is industry standard. There are days where I don’t even touch a car and I spent 9 hours of my life wasting away in a hot metal box outside without earning a dime for the day.
Some would say “but flat rate is good when you’re busy! You can do 100 hours of work in maybe 40, potentially!”
Potentially is the keyword. Why am I going to leave my house and spend all day in a hot metal box for the potential to make money when I should just be getting paid when I am anywhere but my home on business?
I am quitting shops altogether and going freelance and making my own rate, which is honestly the best option for someone in my line of work but not everyone can do that.
These automotive companies destroy customer’s wallets and then turn around and abuse and kick around us grease monkeys. This entire industry needs a facelift and the first step would be major unionization.