Salary problem.

[mey]

Last December I was made 2 job offers. Both were good offers so after talking about the salary I accepted one of the jobs where I got offered £17000. Very soon after the offer the manager left and this was before anything was put on paper. The first day at my new job I was told that the manager has left but the knew about the job offer. But they disputed the salary and said they were only going to pay me £13000. I was told that this is the amount they were going to pay me and that I should complain in writing if I was not happy about this. So I did complain in writing. So far every month I get a letter saying that they are still investigating my complaint.

In the meanwhile I have been struggling financially, my health as been affected and I cannot meet my financial commitments.

What should I do? Should I go the the media? Should I go on strike? Should I take my GP's advise and be booked off for stress?

I have seeked legal advise and I have been told that it's not me who should prove that they made me the offer but them who should prove that they did not make me the offer. Problem is that I cannot afford legal costs right now.

I would appreciate some opinions with regard to my options or even better if somebody has an idea on a legal letter I could sent them.

Any other options will be appreciated.

[JonCris]

Are you a member of any organisations such as a Union

[mey]

I am but they are unable to help me as this dispute happened before I joined.

[shywazz]

Not T&G is it by any chance, there always use happened b4 you joined to save getting involved in matters, lazy pups there are.

Re-word your request to the union, tell them you are having wage problems, don't mention the joining salary problem, your wages are paid weekly or monthly then this is happening after you joined get my drift....There should then take the matter up on your behalf...

[mey]

No it's UNISON. I'll contact them again. Thanks

[JonCris]

Originally Posted by mey

I am but they are unable to help me as this dispute happened before I joined.

Who the hell told you that rubbish

[mey]

The local branch of Unison told me they cannot help me but I contacted the head office today and they just said they will refer it to the local branch.

Only problem is that they will only help you once you complete a form and they don't want to send me this form as my dispute was before I joined.

[JonCris]

Rubbish If the company continues to refuse to pay you then your complaint is current. Somebody locally is trying to split hairs I have to say

I have to say that in that past that whilst most are good I have come across some bone idle local union officials. I suspect somebody is trying to split hairs in order to avoid doing anything.

The other aspect is that your union rep could have too close a relationship with your employer

You need to write to the head of the union. cos phoning as you have discovered, aint' gonna do a thing

[Conniff]

Assuming you know the name of the boss that offered you the salary, pop into your local library and have a look at the electoral register for his address and then drop him a line and get confirmation from him to show the now boss.

[mey]

Thanks JonCris. Now that you mention it I think there is some involvement with somebody at work and the union. I'll find out on Monday and then write to them.

Hi Conniff. Apparently the boss is coming back soon and she has been informed of the dispute thus she is saying it's my word against hers. Very frustrated as I gave up a well paid job for this job.

[Conniff]

Hi Conniff. Apparently the boss is coming back soon and she has been informed of the dispute thus she is saying it's my word against hers. Very frustrated as I gave up a well paid job for this job.

Are you saying that the original boss has now change her view and is agreeing with what your now getting?

[mey]

Yes, I don't think she "conveniently" remembers what she offered me as she appointed others at the same time. I remember exactly what she said the day she offered me the job. The offer was good and I asked her to repeat the offer. I immediately accepted after she confirmed it.

[mey]

More than a week ago I contacted the Union. They said they would get the local rep to contact me. So far nobody from the union has contacted me so I decided to set-up a meeting with the managers. I emailed the assistant manager and requested a meeting with the manager and assistant manager. The assistant manager said that the email has been forwarded to the manager and that the manager will get back to me. So far nobody has contacted me.

So should I just go straight to the Employment Tribunal? Do I have a chance? Any advice will be appreciated.

What should I do now?

[Weird Al Yankovic]

The problem here is that you were offered a job at £17k a year, verbally, but are only paid £13k, right?

Did you begin your job in December? If so, I assume your complaint was also raised in December?

It is now almost the end of April '08. Why have you waited until now to consider a tribunal claim?

It is not unusual for a union to not get involved with a complaint that happened before joining them as a member. How long from starting your job to joining the union?

Are you doing a job comparable to other new starters who are on £17k?

What is the nature of you job?

Please try and answer the above but I don't think you have a strong case based on what you have already posted.

[mey]

Since December I have been trying to get this sorted. I have complained in writing and waiting for the managers to resolve the issue. They have replied to my letters every time but all they say is that they will look into it. To be honest I only heard of the tribunal recently. I joined the union in February so I can understand why they don't want to get involved. I'm a computer technician and the only one in the company so I can't compare it with other jobs.
I've given up a good job for this one and it's affected my health and caused lots of stress at home. All I'm trying to do is to find a way to get this issue resolved. Not really sure what to do. I've even asked for a meeting to discuss this but they just ignored my request. I need to do something drastic but what?????

[Weird Al Yankovic]

Ok, based on this further info Id say-

1 The union are well within their right to refuse to undertake your problem that was instigated some months before even joining them.

However, I personally wouldn't be too concerned about this. When I was a postman our reps were also postmen.

A postman is good at posting letters and a lawyer is good at giving employment advice.

2 You have clearly raisied a grievance in December, and in writing, even if your original letter was a complaint, as you have described it yourself, and your employers should have recognised it as a grievance.

It appears they have not followed the statutory procedure as you say it is still being considered. Were you ever invited to a meeting? You have even asked for one! Do you have copies of all correspondence?

The time limit to submit a complaint to an ET is fast running out and you may only have a few weeks to do so. Get some legal advice asap regarding this.

ACAS are good but they have actually given me incorrect info in the past so I'd try and get a lawyer's opinion. You home insurance probably covers work place disputes.

3 The offer of the job for £17k a year was made verbally. This will be very difficult to prove and it will essentially be your word against theirs.

Beware, do not let your employer dictate the time taken to resolve this or you will have no recourse via an ET.

[JonCris]

I don't believe an ET will be possible because you haven't been in their employment long enough............unless you can prove sexual or racial discrimination