IfA campaign to require archaeological work to be undertaken by ROs

[BAJR Host]

http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ne...toryid=453

it is in this

though the IfA have now clarified it with this

http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ne...toryid=458

IfA posted a statement on its minimum salary recommendations on 10 November on the website at http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ti...x.php?id=1. The statement has engendered some limited discussion, and there appear to be a few misunderstandings that could usefully be clarified.

The IfA does not set archaeological wages and has not voted to freeze all archaeological salaries for 2010/11. IfA Council have agreed that in view of the extraordinarily challenging economic environment, there should be no increase in the IfA recommended minima for 2010-11; this does not mean that any organisation or IfA member employing staff cannot pay above the recommended minima.

To build on the IfA recommended minima (which is a requirement for ROs) and in order to achieve long term improvements in pay and conditions Council agreed that

• focus should be on promoting ‘reasonable’ pay bands well above the IfA minima
• the 2007 pay bands ranged from 13% to 53% above the present minima, and these figures should be updated
• those IfA members employing staff and Registered Organisations that do not presently remunerate in these bands would be expected to work towards them, with the encouragement and support of the Institute
• the Registered Organisations committee should take a tougher line on organisations applying for registration to demonstrate good HR practices, including the existence of training plans, staff development reviews incorporating support of CPD, assistance with professional membership fees, the provision of appropriate types and amounts of leave, and contributions towards pensions
• excellence in employment practice should be recognised within the architecture of the scheme
• this demanding task will be taken forward as a matter of urgency by the elected Executive committee, supported by the Chair of the Registered Organisations committee and a representative of the Diggers’ Forum, whose members are amongst those worst affected by poor pay and job security, and whose opportunities to drive forward improvements has been severely limited.

The discussion of salary minima in the Council meeting on 5 November was a regular IfA Council agenda item – as it has been since 2005 – and was not prompted by any particular part of the Institute’s membership, but Council had benefitted from some submissions before the meeting. The discussion was direct and forceful but was civilized throughout – this is exactly what Councilors have been elected to do.

It is important to note that Councilors are elected as individuals and vote according to their conscience and for the benefit of the Institute.

If you have any queries about the above or the full statement about IfA and archaeological salaries you can contact us directly by emailing kathryn.whittington@archaeologists.net