What is the best way to go about it?
Quick back story: I was hired at my job approximately 10 months ago, been kicking tail and taking names ever since. I have roughly 5 years of experience in my field, with a minimal amount of formal schooling (I'm a mechanic). I have and provide my own tools and have just about everything I need. I have completed many certification classes required and requested by my dealership, have a perfect attendance record, and no tardiness. No diciplinary problems and no write ups. Good work performance and have passed all my certifications. I'm well liked by coworkers and management. My problem here is that when I was hired on, I was given $15 an hour. Not a bad wage, but rather low for the field. Our competitor was offering me $21 an hour, but I could get a job there any day of the week. A mechanic job at my dealership comes up rarely. Come to find out, I have coworkers with a year to 18 months more time at the dealership making anywhere from 19-25 an hour. I make 17 right now. A lot of my coworkers were hired making 4 or 5 more an hour than myself, with comparable experience. I was told that come December, I was going to get talked to about a raise. I honestly need the raise, and would like to make more towards what the DOL median wage is (~$21/hr).
How do I negotiate this? I do not intend on staying if I don't get at least $19 an hour, in spite of my love for my job. I gotta look out for myself. I have applied at tinker, but I don't know if I will be able to get a job offer by the time pay negotiation time rolls around. I'm looking for leverage, and I'm looking for a civil way to discuss this matter to my employer without them telling me to suck it and not to let the door hit me on the way out. Any suggestions? Anything will help.
Quick back story: I was hired at my job approximately 10 months ago, been kicking tail and taking names ever since. I have roughly 5 years of experience in my field, with a minimal amount of formal schooling (I'm a mechanic). I have and provide my own tools and have just about everything I need. I have completed many certification classes required and requested by my dealership, have a perfect attendance record, and no tardiness. No diciplinary problems and no write ups. Good work performance and have passed all my certifications. I'm well liked by coworkers and management. My problem here is that when I was hired on, I was given $15 an hour. Not a bad wage, but rather low for the field. Our competitor was offering me $21 an hour, but I could get a job there any day of the week. A mechanic job at my dealership comes up rarely. Come to find out, I have coworkers with a year to 18 months more time at the dealership making anywhere from 19-25 an hour. I make 17 right now. A lot of my coworkers were hired making 4 or 5 more an hour than myself, with comparable experience. I was told that come December, I was going to get talked to about a raise. I honestly need the raise, and would like to make more towards what the DOL median wage is (~$21/hr).
How do I negotiate this? I do not intend on staying if I don't get at least $19 an hour, in spite of my love for my job. I gotta look out for myself. I have applied at tinker, but I don't know if I will be able to get a job offer by the time pay negotiation time rolls around. I'm looking for leverage, and I'm looking for a civil way to discuss this matter to my employer without them telling me to suck it and not to let the door hit me on the way out. Any suggestions? Anything will help.
