Other contractor on £100 a day more than me !!

**TestMangler** · 12 July 2012, 23:05

Originally posted by BusinessAnalyst2012 View Post

I've discovered indirectly from the client that the other contractor on my team - working through the same agent! - is on £100 a day more than me

My first question is, is this legal? I am guessing you are all going to tell me that yes it is perfectly legal and that I should know this as a contractor. Fair enough but I am just checking. I have already approached the agent about a rise on renewal but he is only prepared to agree a cost-of-living rise which we agreed is about £500 a year in higher fuel costs... not a lot. When I raised with him the fact that the other contractor is on so much more his attitude was pretty much "tough luck". Seems like he will not budge unless I can find a legal angle on this.

Anyway, it got me thinking. I saw a good programme on TV last night where they revealed everyone's salary, and some of the higher paid staff ended up agreeing to take a pay cut to fund an increase in the lower-paid staff's wages.

Do you think there is any chance at all that my colleague would agree to a £50-a-day drop in rate in order to make us equal? I know it's a long shot but it's eating me up.

Please, please, please tell me that your final paragraph is a joke.

There is no legal angle, it's not illegal, it's not 'wrong' and as your agent rightly says (there's a phrase you don't hear often). it's tough luck.

Did you get what you asked for at the commencement of the agreement ? Did you sign up to this engagement knowing the rate ?

I think you should get your union rep in on this one..........oh, hang on.

MTFU !! tell the agent to ram it at your renewal, or don't.....threaten to walk if they don't up your rate.

Make your stand and live with the quincy-quonces.

**kingcook** · 12 July 2012, 23:16

Originally posted by BusinessAnalyst2012 View Post

I've discovered indirectly from the client that the other contractor on my team - working through the same agent! - is on £100 a day more than me

My first question is, is this legal? I am guessing you are all going to tell me that yes it is perfectly legal and that I should know this as a contractor. Fair enough but I am just checking. I have already approached the agent about a rise on renewal but he is only prepared to agree a cost-of-living rise which we agreed is about £500 a year in higher fuel costs... not a lot. When I raised with him the fact that the other contractor is on so much more his attitude was pretty much "tough luck". Seems like he will not budge unless I can find a legal angle on this.

Anyway, it got me thinking. I saw a good programme on TV last night where they revealed everyone's salary, and some of the higher paid staff ended up agreeing to take a pay cut to fund an increase in the lower-paid staff's wages.

Do you think there is any chance at all that my colleague would agree to a £50-a-day drop in rate in order to make us equal? I know it's a long shot but it's eating me up.

Is this legal? Why would it NOT be legal? He negotiated a higher rate than you. Congrats to him (unfortunately not so good for you).

Agreeing cost of living rises? I'm not trying to be funny here but seriously (as others might say) you need to start thinking like a business. Your limited company is providing a service and you negotiate your price with clients/agents. Cost of living rises is something a permanent employee would aproach their employer about.

The agent does not give a tulip about any amount extra you want/need so you can provide more food/holidays/christmas presents to your friends/family. He's interested in the amount of profit he can make out of you. This is BUSINESS.

Good luck with trying to pursuade the other contractor to split the diffenence!! LOL. I know (hope) you said that as a joke anyway

If you're gunning for a more money, you have to weigh things up. Would the extra amount you're asking for want to make the agent find someone else to fill your boots? Or would he think an extra £10/£20 per day not worth the fight? Would he really sacrifice you for that small amount? And vice-versa, would you sacrifice the contract for a small amount? It's a game of poker.

The ultimiate response from you is to walk away from the deal.

**sbakoola** · 12 July 2012, 23:26

The start of this thread has got to be a wind up, with only 5 posts or so to his name .. it has to be.

I sometimes ask silly questions on this site but this is very, very silly, stop it... its a free labour market with negotiated wages/payments between different parties, live with it.

**Gentile** · 12 July 2012, 23:45

Originally posted by BusinessAnalyst2012 View Post

I've discovered indirectly from the client that the other contractor on my team - working through the same agent! - is on £100 a day more than me

My first question is, is this legal? I am guessing you are all going to tell me that yes it is perfectly legal and that I should know this as a contractor. Fair enough but I am just checking. I have already approached the agent about a rise on renewal but he is only prepared to agree a cost-of-living rise which we agreed is about £500 a year in higher fuel costs... not a lot. When I raised with him the fact that the other contractor is on so much more his attitude was pretty much "tough luck". Seems like he will not budge unless I can find a legal angle on this.

Anyway, it got me thinking. I saw a good programme on TV last night where they revealed everyone's salary, and some of the higher paid staff ended up agreeing to take a pay cut to fund an increase in the lower-paid staff's wages.

Do you think there is any chance at all that my colleague would agree to a £50-a-day drop in rate in order to make us equal? I know it's a long shot but it's eating me up.

Yes, it's completely illegal. Phone 999 and ask to speak to the Fraud Squad; they're going to want to know all about this dreadful situation. They'll come straight round and arrest her or him for being a better negotiator than you. As for your colleague taking a £50 pd pay cut, however, that's just not realistic; there's also the small matter of back pay to consider too. Unless your colleague agrees to give you your proper cut of their earnings to date, don't even consider dropping the charges merely because they give you a lousy £50 per day off of their future earnings.

HTH

**Wanderer** · 13 July 2012, 00:31

Originally posted by BusinessAnalyst2012 View Post

I've discovered indirectly from the client that the other contractor on my team - working through the same agent! - is on £100 a day more than me

It's all perfectly legal. You know what the best bit of all is: The client is probably paying the same amount for both of you and agent is putting that extra £100 in their pocket.

Time to grow some cojones my friend. Don't get mad, get even. Start looking for a new contract and put this one down to experience.

**Sockpuppet** · 13 July 2012, 04:14

Originally posted by BusinessAnalyst2012 View Post

Do you think there is any chance at all that my colleague would agree to a £50-a-day drop in rate in order to make us equal? I know it's a long shot but it's eating me up.

You are a Pimlico Plumber and I claim my £5.

**escapeUK** · 13 July 2012, 05:11

Originally posted by BusinessAnalyst2012 View Post

Do you think there is any chance at all that my colleague would agree to a £50-a-day drop in rate in order to make us equal? I know it's a long shot but it's eating me up.

Yes I think he would, but sadly the girl on the reception watched the program too and she wants a share of your £500 a day and so does the cleaner etc etc

**Old Greg** · 13 July 2012, 06:02

Good effort!

**mudskipper** · 13 July 2012, 06:25

You could save money by combining the court action for paying you less with the court action for unfair dismissal - I'm assuming that this is the same client that wants to sack you?

Other contractor on £100 a day more than me !!