Gentlemans Agreement - Implications for staff

[1man1desk]

The impression given by the original post was that this was a general agreement between the units. It now appears that it relates to a specific project where the two units are working together.

Under those circumstances, and if it applies only to staff working on the specific project, then it doesn't seem so bad.

1man1desk

to let, fully furnished

[troll]

Agreed sir-just seems a bit of a non-starter when the choice of employer is clearly down to the employees themselves. I have to admit, more than one commercial enterprise on the same project can be a nightmare anyway! Thats not to say that it cant work of course, it demonstrably has in the past but again...depends on who you ask.Now if the contractors themselves were to dictate to workers just who they could work for and when (notwithstanding contractual limitations) that would in my view be an open invitation to war on all fronts

..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)

[BAJR Host]

To let people know... and to bring the thread to a cuddly end...

The situation is now ... fully under control.

Thanks to all involved.

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Sparky]

Was it ever out of control?

[BAJR Host]

Never knowingly out of control.. :face-huh:

I should clarify that the situation discussed in the thread is now under control rather than the thread itself..

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[unitmole]

Hurting back posted -

"I don't know the ends and outs of this situation, but is it possible that the two units are in some sort of framework or joint venture agreement which requires them not to undermine each other or take advange of information which would damage one or the other in a competitive environment? In this situation the companies may require each other not to pursue staff in such a way as to undermine the agreement, but it may not actually prohibit anyone (as individuals) from applying with whoever they want? Run this through the rumour mill and it may sound more sinister than it is...obviously enlighten me should this not reflect the situation."

The case in question is actually slightly different - we are not talking about units actively pursuing staff we are talking about individuals working for one company applying for jobs advertised by another. When the staff applied for these jobs they had no idea that an agreement existed as it was never publicised.

The other company was offering much better wages and a range of levels of employment and in this situation no one wants to feel that they are being paid less than another person doing the same job on a different stretch of the pipeline, and to be aware that you have no option to improve your situation by leaving.

But as bajr has said this situation has been resolved - but it does show the power anonymous diggers can have if they do things properly.

Whistleblowing can improve the profession just make sure you check with David first, but take this as a call to arms - if we want improvements dont spend your breaks winging in the tea hut do something about it!

And many thanks to David for his help from all involved - once again hes come through for us :face-stir:

[voice of reason]

UM said: But as bajr has said this situation has been resolved - but it does show the power anonymous diggers can have if they do things properly.

And many thanks to David for his help from all involved - once again hes come through for us

VoR says: in what way? how has this been resolved - can you enlighten us? all very nudge nudge, wink wink? a bit like the grapevine whch started it all?

[kevin wooldridge]

One thing that I have noticed consulting the Outwage database, is that one of the units involved here has consistently advertised jobs based upon a 37.5 hour week, whilst the other normally offers a 40 hour week. Could this be part of the suggested differential in wages? My 'Outwage' estimate is that the 'real' difference between the highest paid 'digging' jobs in both units could be as little as 20 pence an hour.

What I really want to know is (part of my ongoing research into the 'canvas jungle' that is UK archaeologists living away from home), are the two units sharing accommodation?

Have we already seen the first 'inter-unit' romance? Could we possibly be hearing wedding bells or tiny pattering feet at some future date? If a boy would the blessed parents be obliged to call the poor unfortunate both Kevin and Neil? Or Caoimhe and Neile in the case of a girl. [8D]

[unitmole]

Kevin posted "One thing that I have noticed consulting the Outwage database, is that one of the units involved here has consistently advertised jobs based upon a 37.5 hour week, whilst the other normally offers a 40 hour week. Could this be part of the suggested differential in wages? My 'Outwage' estimate is that the 'real' difference between the highest paid 'digging' jobs in both units could be as little as 20 pence an hour."

Dont you think tho that this is also down to whether or not a unit pays for lunch breaks or not? A 37.5 hr week with half an hour unpaid lunch vs 40 hrs with paid lunch break implies that the hourly wage for the 37.5 hr week is higher than it is when in reality you spend the same length of time actually working.

And although obviously the wage difference was an important factor the purpose of the origional post was also to raise awareness amoungst bajr users and allow them to make an imformed choice!

[voice of reason]

and still waiting for someone to answer my last question - what has been resolved to make you happy?

also - looking at this in the round, how do other things compare - holiday, overtime pay etc?