6th March 2010, 11:23 AM
Dear Unitof1,
We seem slightly at cross purposes. In my post I was concentrating on the situation that enforced 'self employment' can have on those that end up in it because they feel they've no other choise. Personally I have no problem with self employment if that is a choise that an individual wishes to make and for some there is no doubt that it is a viable and realistic option. As it happens there are any number of advantages to those who choose self employment to beimng in a union,just check out the membership services on the Unite website.Other unions, for example Prospect undoubtedly offer a very similar range of benfits and sevices. However we must recognise that the majority of workers in archaeology are employees and having the benefits of union representation are obvious; a chance to improve pay and conditions, and a powerful voice in all the debates and discussions concerning the future of archaeology in Britain. Curiously, if it is possible to make progress in these areas (and there are no quick fixes to this) then not only would those that are employed feel the benefits but so would those who are self employed in terms of improved payments and condidtions! So join in,sign up and take part in something positive!
We seem slightly at cross purposes. In my post I was concentrating on the situation that enforced 'self employment' can have on those that end up in it because they feel they've no other choise. Personally I have no problem with self employment if that is a choise that an individual wishes to make and for some there is no doubt that it is a viable and realistic option. As it happens there are any number of advantages to those who choose self employment to beimng in a union,just check out the membership services on the Unite website.Other unions, for example Prospect undoubtedly offer a very similar range of benfits and sevices. However we must recognise that the majority of workers in archaeology are employees and having the benefits of union representation are obvious; a chance to improve pay and conditions, and a powerful voice in all the debates and discussions concerning the future of archaeology in Britain. Curiously, if it is possible to make progress in these areas (and there are no quick fixes to this) then not only would those that are employed feel the benefits but so would those who are self employed in terms of improved payments and condidtions! So join in,sign up and take part in something positive!