Looking at relocating with smith as they are closing Ponca city plant. When discussing wages all that is told is you will make at least what you make currently and will be adjusted for the Houston market ?
I'm curious to what the "Houston" market pays machinist
So your saying 20% raises ?
Exempt employees at G12 and higher is where the company offer a "buyout" for the home at current market price. That is the "big thing" of the relocation. At lower grades is still possible but has to be vouched by management. As someone suggested, this is the cheapest way for G.M. to let go people without having to pay a single layoff package, which is up to 6 months for exempt employees, 3 for non exempt and a kick in the butt for hourly. In a way, it's a brilliant move, and the company surely love it.
It's up to the people in Ponca to guess how much the closure of the plant will affect the overall economy of the town and guess how much they might lose in their property value in the future.
I think that for most people, a refresh to the resume, and apply to any other viable alternative is going to be a better option in the medium and long term. I don't see how to be loyal to a company who shuts down a plant when others started hiring again.
Texas does not have state tax but they make up for it in other ways. Car registrations, insurance, are higher. Houston is very expensive and housing prices are inflated, the schools are not that good unless you can afford to live in a really nice neighborhood (you can't), and the traffic ranges from bad to absolutely insane. I see this as a ploy to get rid of people off without laying them off, in other words, offer such a bad deal that only the most desperate or the most loyal to the company will take it.
Ponca city pay grades are about 2 steps lower than Houston for a comparable position. That translate in a pay stub 15% to 20% lower. Adjust it with the higher cost of living of Houston, extremely longer commute times and you have your numbers. Renting an apartment might cost around $1000/month and a home above $1600/month.
very helpful ...
Why anyone would move with them is insanity.
Forget the money. Why would you want to stay and be treated the same as you have been for the last five years? They'll kick you loose as soon as they're done with you. Remember, everything they say is a lie.
Its downsizing your salary by 10-15% and comes with a free diiiiiiick for you to s--- on as necessary
Adjusting for the Houston unemployment market is more like it, good luck with that one.
Unemployment is $479 a week here in Texas. Hope you can live on that when they let you go after Christmas.