salary increases for 2003

Jeffrey

We are a manufacturing company in Louisville,Ky. with about 35 employees and about 20 years of business. Our work ranges from stamping work, cnc machine shop work, fabrication/welding shop work, and quality inspection work. We are heading into our 3rd year out of the last 5 years with a wage freeze. All employees (exempt/nonexempt) are included in this freeze. Does this sound normal for this kind of industry or do you think there are other problems? Please explain. thank you for your help.


Jeffrey

bsa

Jeffrey, we do work similar to you in Texas. We are a "job" shop so our work will slow down then suddenly we are very busy. This is normal for us. Last year we were able to give raises, but they were less than previous years. This year is looking better for us.

Pork

Jeffery: We are a farming operation who has not had a cost of living increase in 10 years. Why, because we pay for performance and we pay bonuses based on production numbers. While the company has on "paper" lost money because of the accounting opportunities for a business to show a lost in order to not pay taxes or lessen the amount to be paid. Our performa would show, not withstanding the "right offs" such as appreciation, expenses, management fees,employee cost, etc. we have made lots of money and we have taken care of our good employees. Unless you can get to see the performa or P&L STATEMENTS, you would not be able to tell if your situation is normal or is the owner ship just down right "greeeeedy" and not willing to admit that they are successful because of the team players & NOT BECAUSE OF THE GOOD PRODUCT OR NAME OF THE BUSINESS. PORK