Workers’ Union president addresses young employees’ dissatisfaction with pay, noting that under-compensation is tied to non-representation

Workers’ Union president addresses young employees’ dissatisfaction
with pay, noting that under-compensation is tied to non-representation
Kem Riley, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union, believes the
concern shared by some young workers – that is, that they are being
undercompensated – comes from those who are not represented by a union.

Riley says the Union has been ensuring that the workers whom it represents
have the benefit of a salary scale in place at their place of employment.
What would normally happen, he explains, is that the company would share
its salary scale with the Union, which then reviews it and suggests
adjustments so that workers are treated fairly.

Within a collective bargaining agreement, the Union also tries to ensure that a
salary scale is included for the category of workers it represents; and, Riley
notes, with a salary scale, the employer cannot pay less than what is stated.
Riley notes that some young employees believe they are not being properly
compensated because they are doing the same job as the seasoned workers –
but are not earning the same money.

However, the president reiterates that the Union has been addressing this
issue in negotiations by putting a range of pay and salary scales in place. But,
he points out, the Union cannot control companies where the employees are
not unionized.

Asked how a balance can be struck with regard to years of service and the
matter of being “qualified,” Riley says there can be an argument made for
both. However, he notes that years of service are considered qualifications,
too.

Instead of workers declining an offer that is not in line with their
qualifications and opting for something else that is, the president says they
usually take a job and then complain because they are not satisfied with the
rate of pay.

In actuality, Riley says, employees are simply not going to go through enough
pre-employment discussions since many truly are in need of a job.
He opines that employees coming into the workforce with the necessary
qualifications should negotiate with the employer during the interview
process as to their preferred rate of pay.