moving markets and keeping your pay?

[lololady]

Hi. My husband is an installer. I am asking on his behalf because he works 6 long days a week :o)

So my husband was a high level tech. He began as a remote tech using his own vehicle. Well we decided to make a big geographic move. Closer to family and more affordable.

My husband was given the strong impression during the interview etc that he would retain close to his pay. We knew he would go down a bit because he now uses a company van. And he knew his tech level would change a little. But he is basically being paid as a new hire. Other than not using his own vehicle he has had no violations or anything that would warrant this.

Is there some policy in place regarding pay scale and transferring?

My husband has worked hard for ironwood (now Direct TV) and I feel lousy for him.

Thanks for any info

[jdspencer]

I would seriously look into the standard of living where you're moving. If it's higher, you may need a bit more pay just to stay even. Will your moving expenses be partially paid for?

[BattleZone]

Let's get this in the open right now: there is NOTHING "fair", "just", or "right" about DirecTV's installation business. Coming from someone who did it for 4 years for 3 different HSPs, several AFSs, and retailers, I've seen it all.

As you probably know, DirecTV has only recently (in the last year) handled installation themselves directly, by buying out some of the HSPs, such as Ironwood. They really have very little experience running installation, and have mostly learned all of the bad habits from the HSPs that they've taken over. In many cases, the same people who ran the HSPs are running the "owned" shops.

Each local shop is more-or-less a separate entity. Any "seniority" is only going to apply while you are there. If you move to a new area, you'll almost always be treated like a newbie until you've proven yourself. Perhaps an exception would be if you were specifically sent to a different office by the HSP owner, who owned both shops, but that doesn't apply here.

Finally, there's no way you're going to get paid anywhere near the same as an in-house tech (driving their van, and being given tools and supplies) as you get as a contractor, where you have to pay for everything.

My advice: go private. Either on your own or for a company that does custom Home Theater/Sat work.

[lololady]

Thanks for the feedback.

Unfortunately we already moved. We would have eventually due to cost of living. We moved somewhere with a much lower cost of living overall. But with the lower pay I am not sure that we aren't just about in the same boat. Again DH was made to believe his pay would remain similar. Of course the guy who hired him transferred out himself right as we got here. They were excited to get a tech with my husbands skill...he was highly recommended. If not for the economy I think my DH would be pushing the issue. But there is this air that everyone should be greatful they have a job at all.....

Again thanks