Response to edward t: You are absolutley correct, It takes good management to see who is making it happen. proshadetree made a point about "Performance Report, numbers tell the story at the end of the month, but it takes someone who will judge fairly, and not base performance using the "Buddy" system. I could say more, but I know you and pro get my drift :)

Most management dont know what you do or who you are unless you are the one pulling them out of the flame.
IE sales said this now you have to figure out how,service said this now you have to find the magic wand to make it happen.And just like in life if its not on a regular interval how soon they forget.Like at raise time.But I guess thats what the preformance report is for.How much did you bring in compared to rest of your department.But even thats wrong because the man fixing the problem isnt always the one who caused it.Rework shows on the nonprofit side.Maybe I should be mowing the bosses yard after all.

actually i think the price of fuel has risen more than any other, and it went from 2.50 to 3.50 a gallon in the last year, not even a 50% rise, not quite 200%. I don't expect many service sector jobs compensation (in the USA or most of the world) increased even in the double digits. and if they did the Government and banks would be raising the interest rates so high no one could afford anything, "to control inflation".
I agree about "my employer treats me fair so I don't complain" (me too) and wages are not about how much stuff costs, they are about; "how much $ can my employer get someone else to do this job for", in other words; "supply and demand".
I also agree about "follow the money", and if you do, you may find far more disturbing wastes of (?our?) cash than spending it on luxuriousness and construction. at least there, someone got something in return for the money we spent/sent.

and to roadrat; doesn't true "merit" raise require management that really and truly knows what they are doing, and not just deciding "merit" on basis of who they like or who has successfully manipulated the correct computer numbers for the short term? what % of management in this industry do you think really has that clue, and how long will they stay in that job?

There is no way your pay raise kept up with inflation last year. You would have needed a 200% pay increase. However, my company does treat me fair so I don't complain. I always look at my pay compared to my level of education and my skill level and ask myself if I am being fairly treated. If I feel I am not being treated fairly I look for a job, that is what is so great about living in a democratic nation, you have free will.

I will say this: If you want to see where our hard earned dollars are going just google: uae ski resort. This will bring up articles, photos and videos of the completely enclosed ski resort that was constructed in the United Arab Emirates where it is over 100 degrees most of the year. It is a replica of a ski resort that is completely enclosed. What a complete joke, we pay $3.50 for gas and they ski in the desert.

Truth be told pay didnt go up with fuel or food prices but is still higher than others in area.And a nice incentive not to look elsewhere for same type job.

I personally have always believed pay increases should be based on merit.
I am thankful for my job and will do my part to care of the company. It's a two way street.

did your pay go up (percentage wise) as much as gas went up in the USA this year (last 12 months)? How about the percentage rise in groceries prices? did your income keep up with it?
In other words, are you _really_ keeping up with true (not just government numbers that exclude"energy and produce") inflation?
Is anyone's who is a working class person?
Or maybe it's just a good thing to still have a job (any job that still can get a paycheck), and we shouldn't complain too loudly?

My company takes care of who takes care of it.No worries here.

dear herald


i think we have to make some Idea or make the big differential the way we treat f the customer :)