2nd June 2010, 09:41 AM
I have always felt that within archaeology there just are not enough of us to actually have much impact on the terms and conditions of our employment. Or should that be we just do not act together.
In theory if we all (and I mean all!!!!!!) withdrew our services for a week the industries we serve might realise they need us.
However it is the unwillingness to act together that holds us back. There is always someone else out there desperate for a job who will undercut prices. And there are those so desperate for experience and to get their foot on the ladder that they will do the job for nothing.
I am all for unions and have in the past belonged to one. I am now just making up my mind which one to join as an archaeologist.
However what we really need is a chartered organisation that has teeth. An organisation you have to belong to practice as an Archaeologist with proper peer review possibly even examination and open to amateur and professional alike.}
Unless the unions we join support us whole heartedly I am not sure that ultimately they will instigate much change.
[FONT="] I remember the days before Maggie when unions use to bus people in from across the country to support picket lines for professions unrelated to their own. I wonder what other professions out there would now do that for field archaeologists?
But if you do not try you have no one to blame but yourself so I for one will be doing a bit of research and joining a union.
WAX
[/FONT]
In theory if we all (and I mean all!!!!!!) withdrew our services for a week the industries we serve might realise they need us.
However it is the unwillingness to act together that holds us back. There is always someone else out there desperate for a job who will undercut prices. And there are those so desperate for experience and to get their foot on the ladder that they will do the job for nothing.
I am all for unions and have in the past belonged to one. I am now just making up my mind which one to join as an archaeologist.
However what we really need is a chartered organisation that has teeth. An organisation you have to belong to practice as an Archaeologist with proper peer review possibly even examination and open to amateur and professional alike.}
Unless the unions we join support us whole heartedly I am not sure that ultimately they will instigate much change.
[FONT="] I remember the days before Maggie when unions use to bus people in from across the country to support picket lines for professions unrelated to their own. I wonder what other professions out there would now do that for field archaeologists?
But if you do not try you have no one to blame but yourself so I for one will be doing a bit of research and joining a union.
WAX
[/FONT]