So I recently started a new job. It's been good pay is good hours arent too bad and my team are excellent. I started on a bit more than the other guys as I won't qualify for the yearly pay rise. I've been open about this to my team I don't see any reason it should be a secret.
Its a salaried position which is part of why I took the job. Not long after I joined up I was made aware that the existing guys weren't happy with the pay as we are shift workers working weekends and nights regularly and they feel that we should be getting penalty rates so the union is currently trying to negotiate a change to an hourly rate to gain those penalty rates. Personally I don't care I feel like I make enough money and the hours don't bother me but I'm young I don't have kids and no major debts to worry about. The rest of the guys do have those concerns so if that's what they want to do I'm all for it.
But this is where it all goes down. One of the team members gets head-hunted and puts in his notice and during the conversation with the boss he flat out asks him if the rumour that I'm getting paid more is true and of course he dodges the question. By the time I come in for my shift everyone is a little riled up, the boss has left for the day and the other guys ask me if it's true. Of course I tell them it is and while not annoyed at me or anything they feel it's a little unfair and I somewhat agree. Why should the new guy be making more than the others who have been here longer for the same job.
Thankfully I wont see the boss for annother week or so and by then I'm sure he will have other concerns but I'm not a man of conflict I don't like upsetting people and this whole thing has filled me with anxiety. I know I will be fine the union has my back as does the rest of the team and we have fairly strong labour laws here that will offer me some protections.
Just annother example of how talking about wages helps prevent everyone from getting screwed.