1st October 2012, 08:53 PM
Like Kevin, I am very interested as to whether this is true and can be substantiated. Back in early 2009, I heard through the grapevine (and I stress this remains unsubstantiated hearsay, although I heard it claimed by and on the authority of people who I wd expect to be in the know, but we all know how Chinese whispers work in archaeology) that, due to increased competition from freelance outfits in the southeast of England, the IfA had been lobbied by a very few large RAOs to abolish or decrease their pay minima for site staff, largely at Site Assistant level. It was said that "the IfA" had dimissed this out of hand (you'll note how a certain murkiness is seeping into this tale!) I failed to discover whether this rejection was on ethical grounds or because the approach was deemed unconstitutional (we all have a habit of putting our own spin on things.) Over to you, P Prentice...