3rd June 2010, 10:34 AM
Why all the blustering and introspection? The bottom line is... if you don't want to be part of a union, then don't join one. If you're happy with the current situation (well, actually one that has been around for the past 20+ years) then 'keep calm and carry on'. If you feel you have the necessary nadjers and right to make your stand alone... then great. Look after number one, before you look after anyone else. If you want to just ride the archaeological pony (while yer young) before you join the real world (become an accountant or lawyer) then fair enough... it's a great career break/gap year (or five) jolly. But, if you (like me) actually find archaeology just too excellent a job, and actually want to make a proper career out of it, then who you going to turn to if you get into difficulty ("that nasty employer has done me wrong") or it all goes pear-shape? What happens if you (heaven forbid) want a mortgage? The bank of mum and dad will come to your aid? Maybe, but they are not there forever. Your bank manager? Yeah, right! Please! I'm not saying that unions have the answer to these questions (well, in fact some of them do... counselling services if you starts to feel the emotional stress, hardship funds to tide you over, credit and mortgage advice at much reduced costs). If you are just plain apathetic... yeah whatever. Whatever your reason for not joining, it's yours alone...
If it's about politics, then fair enough. But in this day and age, we need (both individually and as a group) all the back-up we can get. Yes, the unions support political parties (OK... one party), but on the whole they are there for individuals and groups that have no political affliation. I'd even go as far as saying that there are some union members who are not lefty-trotsky, SWP types... some may even consider themselves 'middle of the road', Green (me) or have centre-right tendencies. They've joined a union because they've put their political stance to one side to accrue the benefits of having some form of back-up. Remember, it is NOT obligatory that you have stand on a picket line if your union wants to make a protest.
If it's all about cost... another fair point. But in reality it is (generally) such a small amount in comparison to other things. Furthermore, many (if not all) unions have some form of subsidy scheme... the amount paid is based on what your earn. If it ain't much (as is generally the case with archaeologists) then they'll take account of that. If you're unemployed, they'll also take account of that and reduce it to pennies (Ok... a few pounds). Forgo the odd pint or fish-n-chip take-away and you're covered.
To some (the outside world) archaeology has been, is and always will be a vocation, not a profession. To me, we just can't carry on this way... something needs to be done. It needs to be done now. Being part of a union is a start... solidarity for a change. Having a chartered organisation should be next. If not, then we'll still be here chewing the archaeological fat (moaning about the past, present and future of archaeology) for years to come. Keep buggering on.
If it's about politics, then fair enough. But in this day and age, we need (both individually and as a group) all the back-up we can get. Yes, the unions support political parties (OK... one party), but on the whole they are there for individuals and groups that have no political affliation. I'd even go as far as saying that there are some union members who are not lefty-trotsky, SWP types... some may even consider themselves 'middle of the road', Green (me) or have centre-right tendencies. They've joined a union because they've put their political stance to one side to accrue the benefits of having some form of back-up. Remember, it is NOT obligatory that you have stand on a picket line if your union wants to make a protest.
If it's all about cost... another fair point. But in reality it is (generally) such a small amount in comparison to other things. Furthermore, many (if not all) unions have some form of subsidy scheme... the amount paid is based on what your earn. If it ain't much (as is generally the case with archaeologists) then they'll take account of that. If you're unemployed, they'll also take account of that and reduce it to pennies (Ok... a few pounds). Forgo the odd pint or fish-n-chip take-away and you're covered.
To some (the outside world) archaeology has been, is and always will be a vocation, not a profession. To me, we just can't carry on this way... something needs to be done. It needs to be done now. Being part of a union is a start... solidarity for a change. Having a chartered organisation should be next. If not, then we'll still be here chewing the archaeological fat (moaning about the past, present and future of archaeology) for years to come. Keep buggering on.