I think FDXguy is right. Just last week I'm opening my check in front of a group of CRRs. We all know what we're making so, there's no "don't tell anybody what you're making" shenanigans going on. A guy that got hired just one year after me is looking over my shoulder. (remember, I've been there 4 yrs. as a FT DOT CRR, he's been there 3 yrs. same position) I show him that I'm making $16.80/hr. I ask him, what he's making? He says he's making $16.07/hr. I say, that's not possible, the starting min. pay right now is $16.17/hr. He says "I know, it's not fair". This guy might not be getting 7s on his reviews but, he seems like a pretty reliable, hard working dude.
There happened to be a long time CRR there and an OPS manager. The long timer said "It's true, some people in here have started out at more than people that have been here". I immediately turn to the OPS manager (who recently became an OPS manager after only being with X for about 3 yrs.) He confirmed that right now, at our sta., if you get hired today, you're gonna get $16.17/hr. while Mr. 3 year dude is making $.10 less.
This OPS mgr. even mentioned that soon after he was hired, at whatever rate, he knew that some people that got hired just after him started out a higher rate. This guy was comparing apples to apples. No BS about job titles or whatever.
So, there we have it folks. I have every reason to believe both of these people. There were about 5 of us all standing around the time clock when we had this discussion so, no secrets in the mgrs. office or anything.
For me, that's the straw that broke the camel's back. If X can't bump up the hourly pay to an employee that's been there and match what they're hiring newbies off the street, that tears it!