bit of advise

[opel]

Im after some advice from anyone that might know h r rules. basically i work for a company that has recent been taken over by a bigger company. basically there over 70 mechanics that were all paid the same wage regardless how long u been there. basically we get training on certain parts of or jobs IE tail-lift lolers. having recently asked for more money for doing extra training they said no so i said what if i dont do the courses but still carry out what i am hired to do. the response was we pay u to be a technician and any reasonable request we make for you to do a course we will make and if u say no to taking on the extra responsibility we will disciplining you. now the wont me to do a drivers course were you have to sign a contract to stay for 2 years and pay money back if i leave. but im looking for enough job already so were do i stand

[The Mighty Elvi]

Well, where do I start.

You need to look at your contract of employment.  It is standard practice where they ask you to sign a waiver to pay back a course fee, if that qualification is recognised as an industry standard and would allow you to work elsewhere.

Look at it from their point of view.  They stump up a few grand to give you additional skills and then you leave to join a competitor. So the pay pack if you leave within 2 years sounds reasonable.

[opel]

i am more mad about were all paid the same and only a few of us keep getting the courses with extra work yet still paid the same as a bloke who doesn't have to do alot. and it i say no to the course they will displine me well that doesn't seem right

[grayboots]

It sounds like youve made your mind up already by looking for another job .
 Working in a big company is so different from a small business. If they have 70 mechanics working there im pretty sure they wont be too keen on making an exception for you. It seems very personal to you but to them you are just one mechanic in 70..... sorry.

[opel]

we all been told we will be disciplined if we say no to do any courses they see fit to send us on even if it does me more then just being a mechanic as in being able to sign loler certificates

[Gavv8]

Well, where do I start.

You need to look at your contract of employment.  It is standard practice where they ask you to sign a waiver to pay back a course fee, if that qualification is recognised as an industry standard and would allow you to work elsewhere.

Look at it from their point of view.  They stump up a few grand to give you additional skills and then you leave to join a competitor. So the pay pack if you leave within 2 years sounds reasonable.

This is standard practice in the haulage industry, our company puts us through ADR and CPC training and does expect a certain amount of loyalty in return although i'm not sure where we stand on the legalities, they used to run a driver training program where they put people through their hgv test and then gave them a job but they had to sign a 2 year contract and the rumour was that they did chase down a few drivers who took the training and then left.

[opel]

the licence it only a ploy to keep me there as they cant get mechanics at the money there paying im more angry they wont to displine u for not wont to take extra responbility when were all paid the same so we all should do the same and be qualified the same

[Gavv8]

I'd be suprised if they can legally discipline you without a genuine case of misconduct.

[opel]

is it gross misconduct not being more qualified then the bloke stood next to me who on the same wages i didn't think it is

[Jay]

Do the courses, work the two years. That's 2 years more experience WITH the qualifications behind you, get a better paying job else where in two years time.

Or just point out there may be some other mech's that hadn't had the opportunity to get the training and perhaps it would be in both of their best interests to send them on a course instead of your good self.

As with all jobs there is always a degree of politics you need to be able to deal with, this sounds like a good opportunity for you to learn some new bollotics skills, maybe they could send you on a course?