13th January 2010, 01:58 PM
BAJR Host Wrote:What would it take to get people to join? What incentive is needed... because lets be honest... there has to be one.
Would a discount on xxxxxxx or perhaps a free xxxxxxx? I am willing to put up a one off if it gets people joining... however... IF BAJR goes all out to help... It would be good to see reciprocation.
I am sorry to be negative but I can't see the main disencentive for a field archaeologist to join ever being overcome - short term contracts which just about cover cost of living. If you are employed for 3 or 6 months with the understanding you will be given a months notice at any point due to projects being delayed or falling through, I can't see what good a union can do. The union can't magic up work to keep archaeologists employed on full time permanent contracts. In all but the most blatant cases claims for unfair treatment or constructive dismissal can easily be answered with "We had to give X notice as there was no work for them to do, they have been treated as their contract specifies and within the law".
I can only see union membership being useful enough to justify the membership fee for those lucky enough to have been in post a few years or those who are employed on long term or permanent contracts and want to keep their posts.