I work for an "enterpretor" and I feel I am well compensated for my efforts. Our company employes approximabely 20 people, give or take. There is a government dept. that basically does the same type of work as I do, but at a wage that is "considerably" more than what I make. So, how does one determine who is under/over paid?
The difference between where I work and where they work is that I can negotiate my wage with my boss. I don't have to pay union dues and yes, while I don't have a pension plan, he does match our RRSP contributions. When I need time off, I get it - no questions asked but I also work extra to make up for it. I don't need to but I do because I do have family obligations that a lot of people do not.
The last union job I had I needed to justify why I couldn't take my coffee break at 10 a.m. as opposed to 10:15 (it was because I wanted to finish what I was doing). Same with taking time off - justify, justify, justify. So, while I could make more money working for the gov't., I chose not to simply because I have more options. Oh yeah, and if someone is totally "incompetent" they actually get fired!
JMO .