22nd October 2008, 06:21 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by gorilla
So no doubt, in gorilla's future world, someone will need to bring the union in because... their colleague got four pairs of free socks per month whereas they only got three; or because their colleague went on a training course every two weeks and he only went once a month; or because he felt that a 300% final salary pension was derisory compared to the 400% offered to architects.
Point taken. But, as I said 'tis my flight-of-fantasy world that doesn't (and will never) exist. Personally, I'd like a 3 to 4% rise in my salary just to afford the mortgage (wooo... I actually have a mortgage, now not many archaeologist can say that) and at least two new pairs of socks.
In starting this thread I asked (sort of) "what would you do to change things?". Waiting... still waiting. Any ideas?
Is there any point being here (BAJR) if we just persist in regurgitating our gripes and epithets about the past, present and future of archaeology? Is that all this forum is for? Instead of stating the oh-so-bl**dy obvious problems, perhaps we should be trying to initiate ways to get out of the bl**dy mess we are in... and once stated, perhaps have the decency to actually act on them.
Perhaps part of the problem is that much of what many of us seem to do to move things forwards disappears because they are just small things, which is why we expect more from the IfA. Personally, I've been involved in settng up a contracting unit which attempted to treat its staff well and pay them as well as could be achieved, with permanent contracts (partly because we were staff too!) because we thoought that was reasonable. Didn't always succeed mind you! Personally, I've been on IPMS (now prospect) committees, and on IfA council, validation and RAO commitees. Didn't always get the chance to get what I wanted through but, to be honest, part of that was because other people didn't agree with me, and there were more of them! (B****y democracy, don't you just hate it!)
Part of the reason I come and read and post here is that there is interesting discussion and points of view and I often have my mind changed, or at least become far better informed, on many subjects.
So my future will still definitely have BAJR in it as well as other things. As to what I'm going to do about it, I'll keep on doing my best to think about the issues and keep an open mind, not just stick my head in the sand and moan. (Well, not often anyway....)