9th March 2006, 10:06 PM
Quote:quote:The IFA exists to advance the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage.Thats the IFAs mission statement and so it should be. I think that the abysmal pay suffered by most in the archaeological profession falls within their purview. Diggerhobbit, I agree that pay is the responsibility of trade unions, but not at the expense of the IFA having resposibility. Poor pay is a problem for the profession as a whole and therefore the IFA must take a stand in the interests of 'advancing the practice of archaeology'. That means a dramatic increase in their recommended pay rates and meaningful action against RAOs who don't pay it (at present they do not get stripped of their RAO status - even witht current low pay rates).
The Ifa taking a meaningful stand on pay instead of acting as a brake on pay would convince me that they were serious about the profession and worth joining.