Campaign to keep IfA minimum salaries

[gwyl]

Just when I am thinking things cannot get any worse, this really does not encourage those of us who have doubts about the IFA...Almost wish I was a member so I could protest through official channels...

Prospect are also mobilising against this - DigVentures are against this - email IfA even if you're not a member, if only as a member of the profession - this is a retrograde step which will make employees even poorer - but will inevitably have a knock-on effect even on self-employed/freelancers

[GnomeKing]

too right gwyl! am preparing a text to post here, for people to copy/paste/adapt as fit....

also; people need to mobilize site crew who are out-of-loop / no email etc.
- contact them> go to site > hold site meetings
> supervisors/POs, take letters for group signatures to your teams and get them posted.

go round your offices and agitate...

[kevin wooldridge]

Is there any news regarding the legality of the IfA setting pay minima? The open letter from the IfA chair at the end of last year suggested this might be an issue.....

[tom wilson]

Good point Kev; I think most of us know very little about what is going on and its legal/procedural background. Here was my hap'enneth:

--snip--
It is my understanding that a delegation of archaeological contractors has lobbied the IfA to remove the pay minima, and that there will be a vote in this issue at the forthcoming Council meeting. It is reported that this may lead to the abandonment of the pay minima.

My recollection of the meeting at Burlington House on November 15th was that a vote was taken regarding retention of the minima at current levels and a consultation period as to their future. The motion was carried (again, from my recollection) with one vote against and two abstentions from the members present.

Would you please respond explaining to me what is taking place, and the way in which it conforms to Institute due process. I would also like to know whether next week's meeting is open to all members and if so whether a vote will be taken from all members, rather than just the Council.

The issue of pay minima goes to the heart of the debate about what the Institute is and should be. If, as is being widely reported, the direction of this key issue is determined by Council alone without every effort being made to canvass the opinion of the wider membership (most of whom are unable to attend meetings in London), the consequences may be serious. An institution which needs to grow to achieve its goal of chartership should take great care not to alienate its grass roots and more junior members.

Regards,
---snip---

[P Prentice]

come on ifa council tell us how the industry will suffer if the minima is maintained/improved - we are dying to know?

[GnomeKing]

EVERYBODY DO THIS:

overwhelm the IFA with phone calls and emails demanding;'

1- to see any documents/letters where this proposal has been argued.
2- to know the names of

[kevin wooldridge]

I suspect that the IfA did not seek a direct mandate from members when pay minima were originally introduced - I can't recall a proposition being put to AGM or to an EGM. it was just one of the measures evolved from the RAO scheme.....I don't know therefore whether there is any point in members asking for a referendum if it is decided to remove the pay minima......

Concerned members, if they can raise enough signatures (I think its something like 300-400 members), could of course call an EGM to discuss the matter, but they may individually have to bear the costs of the meeting. Or a motion could be put to the AGM in September/October specifically proposing a system of pay minima to be introduced onto the IfA rulebook.... but such a motion would have to be well written to apply only to members acting as representatives of organisations and not to the IfA membership as a whole. I would certainly be willing to sign up for an EGM and/or an AGM motion.......and bugger the cost implications if the IfA council decide individual members have to bear the cost....I'll happily pay my proportion....

[GnomeKing]

i like Kevins suggestion.
otherwise it will have to be a campaign of Shame and Anger...

[Unitof1]

I can't recall a proposition being put to AGM or to an EGM. it was just one of the measures evolved from the RAO scheme

well remembered. Out of interest how did the RAO scheme come about. Seems to me that units call for or against salary bandings is anti the ifa being an association for independant archaeologists. Even that some units can now even ask to stop this silly practise just shows up the ifa for what it has always been and thats for a public service unit view of being an archaeologist.

Where does an individual undertaking contract work fit into an official pay scale. Seems to me that that would be price fixing and that is illegal.

[BAJR]

I think the point here is to remember the phrase minima... which place on ROs a commitment for a raft of conditions and requirements in order for them to be part of the scheme... including the payment on or above BUT NOT under the 3 minima.
This is in a way no different from BAJRs Grades. where minima ( again minima! ) are enforced by not allowing jobs to be advertised if they fall below these levels The choice is in both cases up to the Company... and fair enough... If you want to advertise with BAJR OR want to be an RO you must agree to the requirements. this talk of the ifa in a legal quicksand by "setting" rates is as daft as me "setting" rates. the company can choose to be an RO just as it can choose to advertise with BAJR. it has freedom of action, there is no restriction of practice ...

People should also remember that the IfA are it's members and their action and inaction is largely responsible for this. As a wise man once said.... you get the institute you deserve.

Perhaps this might shake people into taking a little more interest in what is happening.

Where does an individual undertaking contract work fit into an official pay scale

I don't see a payscale... I see pay minima.