What would you do in this situation?

[Rocket]

I had a similar situation in that my intial role 'x' expanded to include 'y' and 'z' and the market rate had increased by quite a bit as well since I originally started.

I spoke to my agent and to my boss (who is also a contractor) and presented them with a letter with recommendations from others I have worked with on this project (bosses, not just others at the same level as me) as well as an outline of the current market rates for my skills and a list of the additional responsibilites that were not part of the original contract. I then told them what I wanted as an increase (current market rate + a bit more) and left it with them.

In the end, I got a 20% raise and although it wasn't as much as I'd asked for it was well within what I was prepared to accept.

There's nothing stopping you from testing the market...if you get an offer from somewhere else you can always go back to the current client and see if they will negotiate...if not, off you go.

[The Lone Gunman]

It has got nothing to do with what others are getting. You are a business. You base your rate on what you think you are worth and what the market will stand.

Make a business decision not an emotional one.
Long term income at lower rate is better than short term gain.
If the market is up then move on and fill yer boots.

[BrilloPad]

I would get another job then leave. They might come back to the table after that.

[facboy]

yes talk about rates/salary is often a breach of your contract's terms, technically speaking.

[Bright Spark]

rates can vary with the market conditions and the time of year,
and also the desparation of the client Another factor to consider
is if the client has managed to get this contractor on another cost centre

ie. someone else in the company is paying for this contractor to work on
the same project, but your boss does not have enough budget to pay for him
directly and has put in a high rate to the other cost center since he knows he
will get a better candidate for that money, and does not care about money
since he is not paying the bill out of his budget.

This happened to me once and I managed to get a 30% pay rise,
I've learned not to mention rates to other onsite contractors.

[Moscow Mule]

Leave.

Had (almost) almost the same thing at a large bank. They wouldn't renew over 10% but market rates had gone up 30%.

I told them to ram it. Found a new job about 10 mins after deciding to leave (at current rate + 35%)

[TheFaQQer]

I'd leave.

Applying for the no job isn't worth the time - if they won't move you onto that job / rate now, then they won't do it just because they get your CV from an agent.

Get looking now, and see what else there is out there - I'd be off, though.

[Pickle2]

Its business isnt it. They are probably banking on you sucking it up and signing on the line. It sounds from your post like they might be right. They dont have to pay you more to be fair or to save your feelings if they think you will stay anyway for less money.

If you are not happy, walk away. But I would speak to the client directly, dont rely on the agent to do the legwork for you. He is happy with a simple renewal and an easy life. Cut him out, and negotiate with the client direct.

[VectraMan]

yeah don't get me wrong I know I can go elsewhere, or I can just sign on the line and accept what I'm given, but how would you feel if some guy doing the exact same job with less experience is sitting in your team on 40% more?

Yeah I'd be pretty pissed off. Apart from the money, it says something about what they think of your abilities. But you're a contractor. No point getting stressed about it, just leave.

[chris79]

yeah don't get me wrong I know I can go elsewhere, or I can just sign on the line and accept what I'm given, but how would you feel if some guy doing the exact same job with less experience is sitting in your team on 40% more?

I'm annoyed that I've been given a rate based on a much lower job spec, but they won't discuss this. They've had one of us in the team acting as team leader for the last 6 months as the permanent employee has been on long term sick since xmas, yet they've told him there's nothing extra for him either??

[VectraMan]

If you're not happy with the rate, leave. If they want to keep you, they'll probably offer you more, but not unless they think you're serious about leaving.

Can you get out of the contract? You could always agree to the extension then start looking for something better.

[chris79]

I was originally brought in as part of a team of 4 people, 4 contractors, 1 permanent team leader, with the job role 'x'.

The job I've spent the last 12 months doing isn't infact job role 'x', it's job role 'y', and they are now advertising for an additional member for approx 40% more daily rate than what we currently get.

The contract is up for renewal in 3 weeks and an extension has been offered. I put forward a business case to ask for the market rate and to also explain that I'm doing job role 'y', and that on this basis I wanted a contract to reflect this, but I (as well as the others) have all been told that no rate increases will happen as the client does not negotiate, and that it's a case of take it or leave it.

I'm thinking that if this is the case I don't see why I cant apply for the job being advertised? It's a different job title on a lot more money (but effectively sitting doing the job I'm currently doing)?

What are peoples thoughts on this situation. I've been told that the job is pretty much there for 5 years and thats why the client wont negotiate, they've argued that I can take my chances on the market rate, but risk being out of work or spend a lot of time looking for other contracts. Pretty tulip attitude if you ask me!