20th October 2005, 07:14 PM
Well yes, ML, I think that we are basically saying the same thing. The system has been (artificially) set up on a competitive basis, following the dogma of the time, the lowest bid wins the job, so all costs are minimised. Wages are thus of necessity the lowest possible. The system is designed to keep prices down. The fact that people WILL and DO work for the wages offered demonstrates that the wages are the correct market price, in the philosophy governing construction and archaeology. Same with the hire of a JCB, you will ring round for cheapest kit with driver.
If a developer (or more correctly his Main Contractor) wants a sparkie or a plumber, he still pays the lowest rate possible. It's just a lot more because they're hard (often impossible) to get hold of.
I'm not saying it's a good system, far from it, but that's the way it is. For now....... maybe we should just supply Troll with arms.....
Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.
If a developer (or more correctly his Main Contractor) wants a sparkie or a plumber, he still pays the lowest rate possible. It's just a lot more because they're hard (often impossible) to get hold of.
I'm not saying it's a good system, far from it, but that's the way it is. For now....... maybe we should just supply Troll with arms.....
Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.