27th April 2011, 01:28 PM
I am 100% for community involvement in archaeological excavations through open days, talks, site visits, leaflets etc. etc. The more communication of information the better!
But, I am 100% against volunteer diggers on a commercial site. If someone is doing a job, they should be paid for it. If they are not doing a job.....they shouldn't be there (unless visiting or on an open day.)
I have worked in many different aspects of the heritage industry as a volunteer, a trainee, self-employed and employed. It is clear from my experience that there is a 'misunderstanding' or something going on here.
It is insane, immoral, unsafe (H+S), and probably illegal to use volunteers as commercial diggers.
You cannot run a commercial dig like a research/training dig or vice versa...the two are so different at every level the two are incompatible.
What about insurance? CSCS cards, minimum wage? The multitude of professional standards and guidelines......note the word professional, any union members should be screaming at volunteers undercutting them and stealing jobs from out-of work professionals.
What experienced, capable diggers would agree to work for free? What kind of volunteer would work commercial hours and under commercial conditions, with the same legal responsibilities for the quality of their work as a commercial digger? What kind of volunteer would sign a contract basically stating that they have all the responsibilities as an employee but without being paid?
Have I suddenly woken up in the past and archaeology is only a hobby?
But, I am 100% against volunteer diggers on a commercial site. If someone is doing a job, they should be paid for it. If they are not doing a job.....they shouldn't be there (unless visiting or on an open day.)
I have worked in many different aspects of the heritage industry as a volunteer, a trainee, self-employed and employed. It is clear from my experience that there is a 'misunderstanding' or something going on here.
It is insane, immoral, unsafe (H+S), and probably illegal to use volunteers as commercial diggers.
You cannot run a commercial dig like a research/training dig or vice versa...the two are so different at every level the two are incompatible.
What about insurance? CSCS cards, minimum wage? The multitude of professional standards and guidelines......note the word professional, any union members should be screaming at volunteers undercutting them and stealing jobs from out-of work professionals.
What experienced, capable diggers would agree to work for free? What kind of volunteer would work commercial hours and under commercial conditions, with the same legal responsibilities for the quality of their work as a commercial digger? What kind of volunteer would sign a contract basically stating that they have all the responsibilities as an employee but without being paid?
Have I suddenly woken up in the past and archaeology is only a hobby?