You might not like this ??

[BAJR Host]

In considering the new BAJR 09/10 levels for pay - I have been holing back from sending out the consultation document to see where we stand.

In the next couple of days I will be sending out a short yes/no questionnaire to look at where we WILL be rather than where we ARE.

It is important to recognise that there have been major traumas in archaeology in the last couple of months, and it would be unfair, unwise and shortsighted to produce a pay guideline until we have a clearer picture of where we are.

My suggestion (based on some useful conversations) is this.

BAJR will hold back from any recommendations until 1st July. - though will expect back dating to be implemented. I expect this rise will have to be small (even 2.5%) to ensure that the protection of jobs is foremost. However, this will also mean a commitment, a firm commitment to implementation of the Benchmarking Report in the following financial year.

These are unusual times, and as such will require us to examine what can be done, rather than making a mistake in the short term.

Thoughts ?? :face-huh:

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[monty]

Good planning Hosty,...... holding back for six months is wise and let's see where we are then.....fingers crossed things will have picked up.........

[drpeterwardle]

I used to be indecisive but now I am just unsure....

It is bad enough having one sided collective bargaining but worse still it being imposed retrospectively.

The planning officers have just published a survey see

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england...30534.html

and http://www.planningofficers.org.uk/featu...atureid/86

of the reduction of applications in the last year.

What archaeological companies need is certainty and flexibility. In the real world pay cuts and short time wroking are seen as better alternatives to redundancy. Why is archaeology any different?

Peter

[BAJR Host]

I do think that certainty is a real need (I am nearly ready to send out the questions Dr P)
I would not look for pay cuts... but I would expect real world expectations, where the cloth must be cut. I would rather have a job at the end of the day. You are right... archaeology is no different. This may be a bitter pill, but one we collectively have to swallow.

"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[voice of reason]

and out there in the wider world, one company's response to the 'downturn'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7833280.stm

[BAJR Host]

Honda said that there were no plans for redundancies and that it intended to "safeguard employment" for those workers who wanted to stay.

Workers at the plant will get full pay until the end of March. Although negotiations are not yet complete, workers are likely to receive about 65% of their pay for the remaining two months of the shutdown, the company said.


I think that is a real world problem indeed. perhaps why we also need to know where we will be, so some form of future plans can be drawn up.



"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[drpeterwardle]

Yes - but the Honda workers will owe the time to the company. Meanwhile the F1 team face an uncertain future as the team is being sold off.

Peter

[trowelfodder]

ITs a horrible situation to be in - it does feel like when we were finally getting somewhere it all came crashing down around our ears.

But i do have to agree with your conclusions it would be completely counterproductive to push forward the wage issue now the most important issue at the moment seems to be maintaining employment where possible.

Wage cuts wouldnt help anything long term as would massively weaken the role of BAJR if it could slide back but perhaps a period of stagnation is oppropriate - archaeology is never going to outstrip the wider economy and we are in for lean times.

[BAJR Host]

Thanks for that Trowel... I can say that BAJR would not slide back... just hold off on pushing forward.. which is hard for me to say... believe me... but options are limited.




"Gie's a Job.."
Prof. 'Dolly' Parton

[kevin wooldridge]

But lets put this in perspective. Whilst BAJR (and probably the IfA) may freeze their respective salary minima, neither of those bodies is responsible for setting or negotiating archaeological salaries.

I imagine that the trade unions and employers are already taking positions on that subject. If archaeological workers want to maintain and/or increase their remuneration and improve conditions they need to start getting themselves organised, cos' if they allow the small gains we have made over the past few years to be taken away without putting up a fight, we have no-one to blame but our lily-livered selves.