28th March 2010, 10:08 AM
I started as a hat doffer. Got nowhere. Joined a union. Started to ask for training. Started to ask questions. I thought I was doing the right thing. Then I got made redundant. I got no help from that union and they didn't seem to do much for that unit. Now working (outside archaeology) in a heavily unionised place and I get everything - generous pay scales and masses of training. I guess the early stages of unionisation are very painful but once it's up and working it's a very good thing.