Just remember that prevailing wage includes more than just your wages. It also includes any fringes that you get. Usually the p/w states the hourly pay plus fringe.
I would guess that if and when the MA labor board finds that your employer is paying you less than p/w and as an unqualified exempt employee they will have a lot of explaining to do.
Also I do have to say Joe shovel did not negotiat his deal, the last 2 guys hired as laborers anserwed an ad on Craigslist and are making $50/hr. They are both idiots, one didn't know how to use a caulking gun. So that kinda throws the "different workers make different amounts for certain reasons. Those guys make $50/hr cuz the state says so.
I do understand they might not always make that much. They might be laid off and never called back. Its a complicated situation with many factors to consider, which is why i posted the question here.
As others have noted, from a regulatory standpoint, it REALLY sounds like you are a non-exempt construction worker, and should be earning prevailing wage. By not paying you this wage, the owner of your company is basically giving himself a $30,000 to $40,000 bonus this year. Congratulations to him.
I was faced with some of these issues earlier in my career, and there are some hard choices to make. You do need to be putting together skills that will allow you not to travel or physically bust your hump as you get older and have a family. Meaning that if you want to become a licensed surveyor, you may have to work for lower "salary" on a professional track instead of traveling around doing layout forever. I made the decision to eventually follow the less construction/more stability route, and accepted some lower salaries along the way. Par for the course.
But if you like the layout route, and want to stay in the construction industry, insist on the money. Money equals respect, especially in construction. I've had a couple friends (one a carpenter, one a surveyor) who were offered "management" roles early in their careers because they were bright, motivated, etc. Both had been making nice $120-130,000 per year incomes as hourly employees on public projects. Both had essentially the same conversation with their management: "We'd like to offer you a salaried management position." "Oh, wow, what's the salary?" "We could offer you $75,000 a year." "But I make $130,000 in 10 months right now." "Yeah, but you could be management and not have to work in the rain." "Thanks anyway, I have a raincoat."
As it happens, they are both doing very well today, having started their own companies with a nice fat savings account, which for damn sure wasn't earned on "junior management" salary.
I'm also doing fine, having taken the other route because I really didn't enjoy the construction work and travel. But if you like construction, get paid!
Your in a rough spot if they paid you anymore they could sub the job out to a land surveying company, at the same time using that companies insurance for any layout mistakes caused by that company.
You need to quit filling in on the heavy equipment, they pay you to do layout and calculations. When you finish the layout, say you cant get on the dozer you need get the point and cuts ready for tomorrow.
I would ask for a raise a few days before they are ready to pour, and call in sick the day before the pour. Then show up a few hours late saying you are feeling better.
Also it is hard to compare salary from one region to other region or even city to city.
> .... Most folks pick a handle that reflects something about them.
Do you suppose that applies to "Stoner1826" as well? :-/
My handle does reflect something about me..... Its my last name.
> My handle does reflect something about me..... Its my last name.
Well, I hope no offense was taken. bionicman's comment just made me think of that.
It would cost a lot more to sub it out. They would most definitely have to pay the guy prevailing wage us the company would have to make money. I think its way cheaper to pay me more.
The fact that I am able to fill in as operator makes me much more valuable to the company.
> The fact that I am able to fill in as operator makes me much more valuable to the company.
Not necessarily. There is a classic study case in the aircraft maintenance industry of a supervisor allocating himself mechanic's task. The result was unfortunate.
Frankly man, my advice to you, work on your people skills, why the condescending attitude? Everyone on a construction job has a role to play, the guy with the shovel in the trench is just as important as the the rest of the team.
The projects will go on successfully even if you don't show up for the next 3 months. They will find another Joe Surveyor who can do it all. There's plenty of us.
And that's the straight dope.
You've got your head on straight. The money is important. Don't let all this "Who do you think you are?", "Shut up and eat your gruel", etc. nonsense derail you. If you really think your company won't pay you prevailing, don't sour the relationship. Instead, keep showing up and being awesome and leverage your current position to find one with a company that will pay you the legal wage. You've got options here. Don't sell yourself short, but be smart about how you make your moves. It's important to leave on a high note.
I don't understand why you think I have a condescending attitude?? Because I said "Joe Shovel" that was someone else's words within this post. I never said anything bad about laborers, just I don't think I should make $20/hr LESS than a laborer. There is a pretty big difference though in qualifications needed to be surveyor vs laborer.
There isn't as many surveyors ready to take my place as you think. I'm the 5th surveyor they've had within a year and it took 6 months to find a replacement for the job I left and I've heard he's not working out well.
Of all the surveyors I know, SIT's, PLS's are as capable with spiral curves as I am. So don't understand why you think my qualifications are less than every other surveyor in the world.
How much more would it cost to sub out? Don't forget the company matches whatever you paid in taxes and social security, plus if you have a company truck/ gas/ insurance personal and for the job layout/ survey equipment/ supplies lathes hubs etc.. do you have a helper they pay as well?
The survey crew wont be there ever day. Go in rough the building, layout the sewer line, come back when the sewer is it, lay out the waterline, pin the buildings down, stake the property line, layout the pavement. Do the asbuilt.
Its 2 sites for the same job, theres buildings, lots of retaining walls, parking lots, light bases, H-piles, precast platforms, anchor bolts for canopy train tracks, and the usual utilities. The track is spiral curve, all the retaining walls are on curve as well as platform. It's not an easy job, I am a one man crew with Leica robot. I obviously know there are a lot of surveyors that are way ahead of me as construction surveyor I know a few and consider them mentors. To say I'm so easily replaced and not an asset to my company is condescending.
I never said you were not a company asset.
I was stating that if you ask for to much for a raise, the company may run the numbers find that they may be better off subbing the survey work to a survey company.
:good:
Sorry that was meant for James's comment
so did you ask for a raise?
> They are both idiots...
I recommend the use of the word "imbecile" for it has more panache.
Anyway man, all the best to you, hope you get the raise you seek, you do have some valid points. It's nice to be well remunerated for the hard work that we do. Then you pay more taxes and then you can work on more projects.
I've talked to the super, he's going to let me know when to ask so I have the best shot at getting it. Should be very soon. I do not think I am a survey god, I am a complete idiot when it comes to property surveying, just about all my experience is construction layout.
Thank you everyone for the comments and advice has helped a lot.
"Fair has nothing to do with it"
What a great quote; from William Munny (Clint Eastwood) as he looks down the barrel of his rifle at the corrupt sheriff (Gene Hackman) who beat him so viciously and gleefully earlier. The sheriff,laying wounded on the floor looks up at Clint; "you can't shoot me, it's not fair, I worked so hard in this town...
