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1st December 2008, 08:19 PM
Everybody winges about not having any union representation, but it strikes me that BAJR has a quite massive influence within the archaeological community and as such provides the perfect framework for the formation of a credible new union. I'm aware that there are all manner of potential obstacles, both practical and legal, but would they not be worth facing? Any thoughts?
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1st December 2008, 08:29 PM
.. perhaps now is the time to think... I would like to think that BAJR could represent the individual.... A confederation ........ with no subs.. but a representative membership.
"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton
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1st December 2008, 09:39 PM
No.
People who moan about a lack of union representation should pay their subs, not rely on others to pay for them. If BAJR set up as a quasi union, aside from a host of other issues how could it offer all the things a good union does? Would David have negotiated my pay-rises, extra holiday, unpaid leave and my part-time status, or when I needed legal advice over dismissal, or advice on long term disability from working, or....
BAJR does a lot, and it does it well, and I guess we don't hear of half of what goes on behind the scenes. BAJR works as a lobby, if there is a representative members group etc then fine, that would add weight to the negotiating power, but join such a group instead of a union -you'd have to be mad! Two completely separate things in my view, and best kept that way.
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1st December 2008, 10:18 PM
Spot on Bob, however.....
.....whilst BAJR shouldn't/can't be a trade union, I still think there is scope for BAJR to act as a pressure group within archaeology. Maybe to prompt trade unions to be more active, maybe to chivvy the IFA/DF. Maybe to remind FAME that none of us live for ever....etc etc.
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1st December 2008, 11:41 PM
Yup... I think I would have to be first to agree that BAJR could not be a union...
"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton
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2nd December 2008, 09:54 AM
Why is it such a terrible idea? Prospect and the IFA have lost the trust of many diggers. Yet many of us are feeling quite threatened, redundancies are biting and at least one unit is fully aware that many are desperate for work so is taking advantage (no names will be mentioned David!). Over the years, BAJR has become so much more than simply a jobs listing site. Why not take the ultimate step?
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2nd December 2008, 10:35 AM
umm... because it is an absolute legal minefield, and Hosty already has one full time job as well as BAJR. I know many are crying out for a 'life-raft' to cling onto in these troubled times but the answer is not to just keep creating new groups but to use those we have effectively - even and especially if this involves lobbying them for substantial reform. Scary thought as it is but if any organisation were to evolve into a union or something similar, it would be the IFA, and I don't think they want to go down that route either, though I could be wrong.
Other wise archaeology will end up as a Mony Python sketch ('splitter!!'), or has that happened already.
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2nd December 2008, 11:14 AM
well said gone to pot.
'We' may also have to accept that possibly no group (or even groups) can change archaeology to be how 'we' want it, and that it will continue to be as dysfunctional as ever. There's no law that means if 'everyone' wants something enough, and tries really hard, that you get the changes you feel are yours by rights. Doesn't mean we shouldn't keep trying, or that many people aren't doing that at the moment. Some loudly, some quietly. Starting a new group or union every time there is a setback isn't going to help, its going to be divisive and alienate good people who are already working hard, for no thanks, to improve everyone's lot.
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2nd December 2008, 12:04 PM
At the very least I would think that us BAJRites need to lobby to maintain the small improvements that we have seen in wages and terms and conditions over the past few years.
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2nd December 2008, 12:32 PM
Kevin
That is the fundamental issue - I'm afarid that there is no such thing as a "BAJR-ite" - don't count me into some collective sentiment that there is a common agenda here.
btw a bit of a check on getting carried away here - BAJR does not have a 'quite massive influence' within the archaeological community as posted in the opening contribution by billgoatcamel.
