22nd March 2010, 03:04 PM
Totally agree with Geli. Previously worked with a Co where i had access to monthly invoices to the contractor for our services. All i'm going to say is that if a digger was getting ?300 pw, the contractor would be billed approx ?700-?800. Whilst i appreciate that the Co has to cover its overheads, this is really taking the piss!!!!!! If you take into account a medium-size project with approx 25 diggers, that's a nice earner by any standard. At the same time, these same Co's will justify lower wages, no sub, no accom by citing "the economy". Maybe it's time for major contractors and local authorities to cut out the "middle-man". This would result in much lower operating costs for them, and a better, more respectable wage for the archaeologist. Alternatively, we could just give up archaeology and get a job on-site as a general labourer,= better wages, treatment and conditions. Now there's a thought!!!!!