Why are AME's underpaid?

[nowinmontreal]

30$ per hour is low, medium or high? for AME in Montreal

[Stumper]

Hey Dr Boeing, I was just wondering, as an Air Canada outsider, if the fact that the government lists us as highly skilled workers has had any impact with you guys being legally allowed to separate from the rampies union wise or at least negotiation wise? I hope progress has been made as that one unfortunate decision has been one of the most negative influences on AME wages for both AC and AME's threw-out the country. You guys need to come up to at least industry standard or this trade has no foreseeable future imo.

Thanks and cheers.

[seamus]

The original subject of this thread was why are AMEs underpaid. It's a bit difficult to define what exactly 'underpaid' means simply because it's mostly a matter of opinion often based on some type of a comparison.

I'd say that a more accurate way of looking at this problem would be to ask why is there no set pay standard in this business ?
In my opinion one of the biggest problem with our trade is the fact that we have no MEANINGFUL and EFFECTIVE representation. That always was, is and will be the problem. The big issue is that we, as a group, can rarely agree on anything or stick together for that matter. In light of that, formation of some type of a national organization tasked with promotion and protection this trade and its members is almost impossible. And so we're back to square 1.

One can go on for days about all the other contributing factors that add up to make for the sad state our industry is in today but fundamentally it's the lack of unified voice that hurts us the most. Until we have an organization that has true authority and respect when dealing with outside groups (owners, operators, Transport Canada, etc.) we will always be stuck in the same position as we are in right now.

About 30 years ago, friend of mine wanted to become a tower crane operator. He went and completed 5 month course (if I remember correctly) passed his certification exam and joined a trade union that represented all other crane operators. His first job he was making 35 dollars/hour and that was 30 years ago!!!! He didn't just get lucky on his first job - his salary was based on the industry standard as set by the organization that represented all others. Employer simply had no choice but to pay - that was the deal.

I've always believed that operators would absorb increased cost of labor much the same way they dealt with increase in others costs over the years such as insurance, spare parts, exchange rate, fuel etc. In the end the higher cost of doing business just gets passed on to the end user/ client. We can not look to anyone else to help us solve our own problems, the solution has to come from within.
Forget trying to drum up support from outsiders to further our own cause. Try telling an average Joe that you're making 60k/year after 2 years of college education and you're not happy about your wage. Want to guess what his response is going to be ??

Cheers

[hoptwoit]

That''s it I propose a week long protest. We will call it "No More Idling" After a week or two with no mechanics anything with an engine on it will parked. That will get their attention!!!

[black hole]

OK: But I'm not going on a "hunger Strike"! I have an alergy to fish.

BH