8th February 2012, 12:55 PM
(This post was last modified: 8th February 2012, 03:48 PM by overseas.)
Hi
I'd just like to add some comparative information from a place overseas. The state service (the majority employer of one of the largest archaeological workforces in Europe) - as a result of union pressure - sorted this out in the early 90's. Before they did so, the situation was pretty poor. Now, to my last knowledge away benefits are as follows :
Overnight stay = 45 Euros....37 sterling
meals = 15 euros x 2 meals per day
Travel : all petrol costs
All travel time is in work time : it is time not however reclaimable for the project, but staffing levels should - in theory - reflect the transport time loss.
A long term stay in a gite usually costs much less per night. This means that away work, with all its real inconveniences...no life outside work,( training possibilities, hobbies, fulfilling pleasurable non-work activities, etc...) absence from home, family, children, are at least partially financially compensated.
People who work long, hard, years - many technicians here are now approaching their 50's : the profession cannot continue to treat staff as disposable "yoof" - are not forced away from their families on sunday evenings to be on site at 8,00 am on monday morning. They do not have to travel in the wee small hours, nor until 8,00 pm on a tired, frazzled friday evening - which means overall they are more likely to survive : many road accidents are caused by tiredness/exhaustion. I knew two colleagues who were killed on friday returns. How many do you know?
Just a note, the private companies, with which the state service has been forced into competition, mostly do not pay these rates, nor travel arrangements. It is not to be wondered at that the government (and their big business cronies) favour privatisation.
Having tried both, the difference in accumulated exhaustion on long-term away projects, is huge : it can be the difference between enjoying the job and suffering it.
Also, I do not know any archaeologists in this country who are without permanent accommodation, living only site-to-site. Everyone here can afford a home. The situation in the Uk may have vastly improved, but I certainly lived from a rucksack for a number of years. I was young and it was fun, but "impoverishment" is gradual and real : how do you invest in your learning when you cant physically carry the books you would like to buy....., for example?
I would like to thank the diggers forum and the individuals concerned with the production of this important report in the hope that it may significantly contribute to the improvement of working and living conditions for archaeologists in the UK. By so doing it may help to make archaeology a more viable long-term career, in which practitioners have the time to supplement/acquire and apply archaeological/historical knowledge as well as technical proficiency, to the long term benefit of the profession, and to the greater professional and personal fulfilment of the individual.
I'd just like to add some comparative information from a place overseas. The state service (the majority employer of one of the largest archaeological workforces in Europe) - as a result of union pressure - sorted this out in the early 90's. Before they did so, the situation was pretty poor. Now, to my last knowledge away benefits are as follows :
Overnight stay = 45 Euros....37 sterling
meals = 15 euros x 2 meals per day
Travel : all petrol costs
All travel time is in work time : it is time not however reclaimable for the project, but staffing levels should - in theory - reflect the transport time loss.
A long term stay in a gite usually costs much less per night. This means that away work, with all its real inconveniences...no life outside work,( training possibilities, hobbies, fulfilling pleasurable non-work activities, etc...) absence from home, family, children, are at least partially financially compensated.
People who work long, hard, years - many technicians here are now approaching their 50's : the profession cannot continue to treat staff as disposable "yoof" - are not forced away from their families on sunday evenings to be on site at 8,00 am on monday morning. They do not have to travel in the wee small hours, nor until 8,00 pm on a tired, frazzled friday evening - which means overall they are more likely to survive : many road accidents are caused by tiredness/exhaustion. I knew two colleagues who were killed on friday returns. How many do you know?
Just a note, the private companies, with which the state service has been forced into competition, mostly do not pay these rates, nor travel arrangements. It is not to be wondered at that the government (and their big business cronies) favour privatisation.
Having tried both, the difference in accumulated exhaustion on long-term away projects, is huge : it can be the difference between enjoying the job and suffering it.
Also, I do not know any archaeologists in this country who are without permanent accommodation, living only site-to-site. Everyone here can afford a home. The situation in the Uk may have vastly improved, but I certainly lived from a rucksack for a number of years. I was young and it was fun, but "impoverishment" is gradual and real : how do you invest in your learning when you cant physically carry the books you would like to buy....., for example?
I would like to thank the diggers forum and the individuals concerned with the production of this important report in the hope that it may significantly contribute to the improvement of working and living conditions for archaeologists in the UK. By so doing it may help to make archaeology a more viable long-term career, in which practitioners have the time to supplement/acquire and apply archaeological/historical knowledge as well as technical proficiency, to the long term benefit of the profession, and to the greater professional and personal fulfilment of the individual.