Will, I've asked that question of fairness many times. The only solution is a Union. Just talking about it will get you in hot water with management. Without a union, it's dog eat dog. Whoever argues and carries on will get more money. Whoever socializes with management gets the best deals. HR will be of no help whatsoever, as managers stick together. New tech hires from head hunters come in on first day and spend it talking on their second phone " yeah, i have second job, it was part of my hiring" then act like they own the place.
Then see sales people get shafted by some cunning rep who seems to control a huge territory, shutting out all others, by being the social butterfly with management. It works, yes a university study proves it....kissing tail really helps!
If you want better, talk to those head hunters, get your best deal, ask for more vacation. But know where your going and what you will be doing! If you get a great offer, then talk to those sweethearts again at HR, maybe they will deal now. If not, walk away to a new place

Will we all have been in your situation. Consider yourself lucky because most industries don't have people head hunting. The forklift industry is a good industry to be in, while not glamorous it does pay well. I just left a company I was at for over 10 years with my decision based strictly on money as a sales rep. My opinion is companies don't care for employees anymore you re just a number, they may say they care to try and build moral but the reality is a different story. Let us know what your final decision is.

I find myself at a crossroad, having contacted HR and not getting to far in regards to higher compensation. All the while having competitors head hunters actually leaving cards on my service van(one guy was actually standing at my van one day). Its a hard pill to swallow when another company is offering more money than the company I am at now(considering they really don't know me from a hole in the ground). What really puts a burr in my saddle is hearing about other people with less experience or customer base earning more than other techs. I think there should be a more standardized way of assessing peoples technical ability and character, when making offers/conditions of employment.

This is a great question. I think the future is in a service tech position and getting pad very well. From what we have seen as people retire there is no one there to replace them. It is causing companies to have to pay more for hourly wages just to keep a good tech and not leaving for the competition because the competition is willing to pay $3 more per hour. I know a seasoned tech in the area I work gets paid about $32 an hour and is only going up.