13th April 2006, 04:25 PM
Quote:quote:The Institute of Field Archaeologists is the professional organisation for all archaeologists and others involved in protecting and understanding the historic environment. It acts in support of its members, works to improve pay and conditions, represents the interests of archaeology and archaeologists to government, policy makers and industry, keeps you up to date on developments in archaeological practice, sets standards and issues guidelines, promotes and organises training, improves individual career prospects, provides a wide range of membership services, and through its Registered Archaeological Organisation scheme improves employment practices and raises standards of work.From 'About the IFA'
Quote:quote:promote an active professional organisation...From the IFAs mission statement
to establish these guidelines and standards by promoting membership of the Institute to all those practising field archaeology
The IFA clearly should want to represent the interests of field staff according to its own statements. Its not really the case of us not letting it - it has to prove itself willing to do it:
PAY: At the moment the IFA says that an experienced archaeologist should be paid at least ?266 a week. This is not enough. At the very least the IFA should say that no experienced archaeologist should be paid less than ?300 pw. That would prove that the IFA really was "working to improve pay and conditions" (incidentally, a pledge that shows that the IFA believes that it is possible and proper to intervene in the free market, regardless of what some of its supporters might believe).
CONTRACTS: At least 33% of archaeologists work on short term contracts. Short term contracts are demoralising, disruptive (both to life and career), often mean periods of unemployment and often prevent settling down, let alone getting a mortgage.
No other comparable profession (architects, town planners, civil engineers etc)has anything like a comparable rate of short termism. What is the IFA doing about this? Has it even bothered to look into the subject with a view to possible solutions?
REPRESENTATION: It is difficult to estimate the proportion of archaeologists employed in commercial fieldwork, the lowest paid and thos most likely to suffer short term contracts. However 30% of archaeologists work in contracting units and 18% in local govt, so the figure is likely to be a bit less than 48%. How many of the field staff (rather than their managers) will turn up to the conference? I suspect very few, which means that the IFA needs to work out how to attract us.