Pay differential question

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Hi all. I am currently employed as a Tig welder for a pretty large lab furniture manufacturer. My title is Stainless steel Tig welder/ finisher. Now Tigging stainless is the vast majority of my job but I also do cold rolled steel every so often. My question is that every now and again, I'll have to do aluminum now that there is someone that CAN do it' it seems like I'm the "go-to" guy. They weren't able to do it until I started working there. Now in shops where welders do both steel, AND aluminum welding, is there a pay differential if you can also do al? I'm thinking I should ask for more $ if al Tig welders generally make a little more than someone who does only steel, stainless, etc.Thanks for your input fellas.
Reply:The only pay diffrential is what the boss charges the customer per job..In my case..I make the same No matter what I'm welding...Steel...Aluminum..Specialty...This place could never have done any of it before..But then again I can use the equipment at any time for my own gain..Kinda all works out in the end...And I don't pay for anything...But when I'm punched in..I'm on the clock and thats that.....zap!Last edited by zapster; 06-03-2007 at 08:43 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Thank you sir.Anyone else have any input?
Reply:Originally Posted by rajun asianThank you sir.Anyone else have any input?
Reply:Is your job description in writing with the company?
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702Is your job description in writing with the company?
Reply:I'll bet Engloid has some advice...
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiSure it is. Two paragraphs plus the phrase, and other duties as assigned. Seriously though at my job I'm basically a one man band, welder, mechanic, plumber, electrician training operatora and what ever else. The more skills I have the less contractors we have to bring in so the less money we have to spend. The more the company makes the more my boss can pay me.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702Is your job description in writing with the company?
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloHere's one thing to consider. Don't ask to get paid a rate for tig welder, mig welder, plumber, electrician. In the end, you'll be saying: I was welding alum. from 9-11, then I was doing electrical from 10-1230, and I was trining a guy from 12-330, but I was plumbing at 1, and in the end, your boss will say...????what and where? I won't pay you hour to hour for this, that and the other thing. So you'll get paid LESS. Set up time is lost time, so don't bring it up. I would stick to the " I do my regular job well, PLUS take care of these other responsibilities as best I can. I would like a pay raise to reflect the increased responsibility I have taken on, and the increased range of production we are able to do."  (optional...Now pay up, you cheap sonovabitch.)
Reply:Originally Posted by rajun asianYes it is. I'll have to get a copy of the job description. I wouldn't even really care that much. But when I first started working there, people would bring me aluminum parts and ask if I could weld them. So I did. And when we finally ran out of what little aluminum filler rod we had, I asked the supervisor to order more and he said " What for? You only need al. for home projects." So I guess I'm a little ticked that he thinks I'm effin off if I'm doing al. Even though I've repaired plenty of the al. jigs they use in his dept.Lots of good advice here BTW.
Reply:There are MANY ways to handle this: First, and not suggested, let the aluminum rod run out, so when you NEED to weld a shop fixture, "everyone" will know what's going on.Second, take before and after pictures of all company repairs and special projects. Keep a public showcase of your accomplishments. People will notice. I would not try to base my pay on one or two special talents, rather be the go to guy for it ALL. I was "tought" by my Dad, his belief was if they pay you a good rate (welders pay), and they have other jobs, even sweeping the floor, do it! Most likely if a slowdown occurs you will be the last to go. I also liked when someone brought me a different job than the norm, it broke up the time and gave me more experience etc. in other areas.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:I was the do it all guy in a few shops. Got a big .50 cent raise in one and a big pat on the back in the other one. The best feeling was just doing the job and doing it well. But the money would have been nicer  . I just considered those two shop's stepping stones for the job i have now because without the expierence from those job's i wouldn't have been offered this one. Now the one shop farms out all its work since they didn't have anyone else. I tried to show people how to do it but they didn't care to learn because it looked too hard compared to the one they had, now they lost that job. So hang in there and maybe something better will come along...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:Originally Posted by aametalmasterI was the do it all guy in a few shops. Got a big .50 cent raise in one and a big pat on the back in the other one. The best feeling was just doing the job and doing it well. But the money would have been nicer  . I just considered those two shop's stepping stones for the job i have now because without the expierence from those job's i wouldn't have been offered this one. Now the one shop farms out all its work since they didn't have anyone else. I tried to show people how to do it but they didn't care to learn because it looked too hard compared to the one they had, now they lost that job. So hang in there and maybe something better will come along...Bob