13th January 2010, 11:35 AM
(This post was last modified: 13th January 2010, 12:13 PM by BAJR Host.)
Hello all...I have been a Prospect member since I began working in the sector seven years ago. Not because Prospect was everywhere I looked, but because I have always believed that trade unions, however 'militant' (or not), are the only protection a worker has against employer negligence (through profiteering or simply neglect) and this has proved to be the case on many occasions.
I luckily joined a Unit that has union recognition and about 40% union membership (not bad, but not enough)..and this has meant a pay rise (usually above inflation) every year, a decent amount of attention to health and safety matters and provision of health and safety equipment (we have an H+S Commitee, at which our union H+S Repis present and so there is direct contact with Management on these issues) greater attention to staff training, consultation on even the basics of company policy...the list goes on!
We worked on the Olympic Park for years, in one of the most contaminated parts of the South East and had it not been for the huge support from Prospect H+S Officer Sarah Page, and the then Prospect Organiser for Heritage, Chris Perry, H+S during the project would have been shambolic!
The prospect negotiator dave Allen (who isn't just responsible for Heritage, but has a number of sectors to represent) is working to meet with individual Units and employers organisations to finalise union recognition and attempt to work toward collective bargaining in the industry.
Lots is happening, but the Branch representing all Archaeologists (except those who work for Museum of London, who have their own Branch) has fallen into inactivity of late, because of the lack of activists (the ones who were very much involved for years have recently left, notably Chris Clarke, who has done a hell of a lot for Branch organisation in the past).
In short...more involvement is needed from Prospect members..and more Archaeologists need to join the union..it is a very, very valuable tool to be used to improve prospects for all in this very harsh economic environment (has anyone else noticed that Units are cutting each others throats for work at the min? Staff are bound to be the first to suffer). It seems such a waste that many Archaeologists feel it too expensive to involve themselves in furthering their own interests..that's what the union is about in the end...improving things for the worker..and workers in this industry are mugs not to involve themselves in that!
It takes a mammoth effort for union activists to improve things if there are only a few involved, thats why the main activists dropped out,fatigue! But its not too difficult if activists are numerous..thats how things are really achieved. My experience of union achievement at a Unit level bears this out.
I luckily joined a Unit that has union recognition and about 40% union membership (not bad, but not enough)..and this has meant a pay rise (usually above inflation) every year, a decent amount of attention to health and safety matters and provision of health and safety equipment (we have an H+S Commitee, at which our union H+S Repis present and so there is direct contact with Management on these issues) greater attention to staff training, consultation on even the basics of company policy...the list goes on!
We worked on the Olympic Park for years, in one of the most contaminated parts of the South East and had it not been for the huge support from Prospect H+S Officer Sarah Page, and the then Prospect Organiser for Heritage, Chris Perry, H+S during the project would have been shambolic!
The prospect negotiator dave Allen (who isn't just responsible for Heritage, but has a number of sectors to represent) is working to meet with individual Units and employers organisations to finalise union recognition and attempt to work toward collective bargaining in the industry.
Lots is happening, but the Branch representing all Archaeologists (except those who work for Museum of London, who have their own Branch) has fallen into inactivity of late, because of the lack of activists (the ones who were very much involved for years have recently left, notably Chris Clarke, who has done a hell of a lot for Branch organisation in the past).
In short...more involvement is needed from Prospect members..and more Archaeologists need to join the union..it is a very, very valuable tool to be used to improve prospects for all in this very harsh economic environment (has anyone else noticed that Units are cutting each others throats for work at the min? Staff are bound to be the first to suffer). It seems such a waste that many Archaeologists feel it too expensive to involve themselves in furthering their own interests..that's what the union is about in the end...improving things for the worker..and workers in this industry are mugs not to involve themselves in that!
It takes a mammoth effort for union activists to improve things if there are only a few involved, thats why the main activists dropped out,fatigue! But its not too difficult if activists are numerous..thats how things are really achieved. My experience of union achievement at a Unit level bears this out.