There are so many things that can dictate pay such as time with the company, years of experience, level of education, benefits package, salaried v hourly, sign on bonus, need (number of dependents) negotiating power of the individual being hired, etc. You obviously wanted to pull the race card as the reason for the disparity. True or not, a nightmare scenario for HR during this hyperbolic time.

Although protected, as your right to discuss, why the hell would you compare pay with anyone? That's socially unacceptable as talking politics or religion and can often, as in this case, cause resentment in the work place. As you mention below how awkward it would be to go to work with all of your coworkers if you all knew each others pay... some paid more, some less foe basically doing the same job.

You should have left it up to your lead (if he was telling you the truth about his pay amount) to argue for a pay increase for himself. Not to play "the great white savior"

This post reeks of virtue signaling and I suspect, if true, there's more to the story than what you are presenting.

Hopefully you learned your lesson. That was his issue to deal with, not yours. Now your family that depends on you is in trouble because of your actions.

You negotiated a better salary and YOU are the one that complained? Hopefully you have more sense in the future.

I'm sorry you lost your job. I think you should get some rest first. While you are resting, you can browse a little by different vacancies. When I lost my job, rest helped me tremendously. The first time after my dismissal, I was saddened. But I pulled myself together and decided to find another great job. After being fired, I could find absolutely any work. Then I started looking at job vacancies. I began to stumble upon night jobs near me (from https://mylifeiguess.com/the-best-night-shift-jobs/), and I thought it was a great variant. To better understand the specifics of the job, I studied the vacancies in more detail. Now I am working on a good schedule and am happy with my work. I wish you all the best in your job search! I'm sure you will succeed.

I'm sorry to hear you lost your job brother, stay strong --

Sometimes things are for the better and you don't even know it yet. When one door closes another one opens. Keep you head up and a positive attitude and you be just fine.

Thats messed up this has happened to u. I see this in my company also, but it's a little different. We have superintendents that run our jobs. Some of these supers are on salary and others are hourly with perks from ot. I hear them complain, but it's the hourly guy that gets time off and only a fuel card. The salary super gets a check no matter what with company truck, fuel card, better benefits, ect... Im sure this is different than ur situation, but the other guy might have had other perks u don't know about and u didn't have. Sorry u lost ur job for doing what u felt best. Very honorable brother.

shitty, but you'll know the rest of your life that you did the right thing. An employer so easy to let you go isn't likely worth your time anyway. a good engineer has no problem at all finding another gig.

Bro, it sounds like you were looking out for him, and got the shaft! I’m sorry! Your a good guy to stock your neck out for him. I’m sorry you lost your job bro. I truly hope you get another one soon. I’m currently in your same boat for a little while.. it’s definitely a stressful time. Good luck bro.

Does your job have a union or someone higher you can go to?

That sucks man, hopefully things will workout.

It's happened to me......each time I ended up in a much better situation. I couldn't see it at the time. Swallow your pride, think about what you want, now is a good time to reset if you want to....and just get moving. You don't need to kill it everyday, but just move the ball forward.

Managers in companies forget that their companies are made up of actual humans

When they say dont talk salary keep quiet
If it was that big of deal for you , you could of gave him money out of your pocket …. Cause i bet he will be makkng your 150,000 now with the job opening
At my job everyone knows the salary except with overtime. And it makes thing very hostile

Unfortunately that’s pretty common.
Women are unfortunately subjected to this a lot to.

Try not to let it get you down mate, things always happen for a reason you find. Somebody once said to me that there are very few good people in the world - and when you find them you never let them go. Unfortunately that will never be in the workplace as most people you work with are always looking to work their way up the ladder and progress, and if that means doing you over in the process then they will, and they won't have a conscience over it or feel bad about it either. I would still appeal it anyway and put your case forward as you never know, new eyes may see it and take your side. But it the meantime keep training as that will keep your mind stable and positive and just start looking around for other other companies offering the type of work you do. I remember your line of work and it must be in demand more in these times than ever. Good Luck pal