Can self-employed agree their rates?

theoretica

I have seen a number of organisations hold surveys into what their members are charging/paid. Not agreeing fees or pressurising people into charging a set amount, but letting all the members see where they fit in and if they are charging more or less than others in their area.

GreenTreen123

No it’s not allowed but do it anyway

sangie595

Supersonos wrote: »

But equally, isn't that what unions do? Agree rates and, when that rate isn't paid, make all their members strike to bully people into paying what they want.

What am I missing here?!

What your are missing is any knowledge whatever about what unions do! Unions do not make their members do anything. Unions ARE their members. Unions do not set the rates - employers do. If employees do not like the rates of pay or other terms, they have two choices - go somewhere else, or take industrial action (which may not be striking). Industrial action is not bullying - it is the exercise of collective will and power, and if the almost all power wasn't already vested in the employer, then it wouldn't be necessary.

shortcrust

We don't meet in darkened corners but people know what others charge and no one wants to blow the starting whistle on a race to the bottom. If I cut my rates by 25% I'd probably just lose 25% of my income, if not more. People don't always go for the cheapest option.

sangie595

And some of us rarely go for the cheapest option! There's usually a reason it's cheap!

getmore4less

plenty of environments where multiple people of the same category are needed at the same time.

The driver will be do you go looking for the jobs or do people come looking for you and how the negotiations start.

how are the rates currently pitched, do they say here is a job £200 a day or do they ask you what your rate is?

As a group it will be supply and demand that ultimately drives the rates.

When there is plenty of work rates should go up and hours worked go up, when there is less work the workers should reduce supply by have people work less and take holidays so they can keep the rates higher.

it the taxi problem when it is quiet you see loads of taxi drivers just waiting for work, when it is busy and they have made enough for the day they finish and there is a shortage of taxis, if thye all worked when busy and took it in turn having time off they would earn the same but spend less time idle.