19th September 2012, 07:34 PM
Unfortunately, this thread has neglected to include a fairly key element. In an ideal world, fully competent, professional archaeologists would receive an appropriate salary in line with other professions. Front-line archaeologists are valuable assets to Unit Project Managers. Units can`t make a profit without front line teams. Units keep the salaries of front line teams low to ensure a continued profit margin-essentially, Units exploit the means of production and reward themselves with permanent contracts and attractive incomes by selling the skills and professionalism of others.
In turn, Unit Managers keep the costs of the means of production low (whilst guaranteeing their own level of income) to ensure that they are an attractive asset to Consultancies. Consultants will use Units that can provide a professional standard of service but who also set their rates at such a level to allow for a profit to be made.
If you think that Unit Managers are hiring field archaeologists out at a large mark-up, you should see the profit that Consultants make. The actual cost to Clients is disproportionately inflated to ensure that a whole gamete of non-front-line staff make a comfortable living from the labours of front-line archaeologists. Trust me- if you think that front-line archaeologists are exploited by Unit Managers alone then you are sadly misinformed. It goes something like this;
I clean cars for a living. I can clean inside and out for ten pounds.
Come and work for me and I will give you 12 pounds per car.
I own a car-cleaning company who can clean your car inside and out for eighty pounds.
I am a consultant who can engage your company in cleaning cars for my clients.
Hello Mr client, I can advise you how best to have your cars cleaned and do each car at the knock-down price of eight hundred pounds per car.
In turn, Unit Managers keep the costs of the means of production low (whilst guaranteeing their own level of income) to ensure that they are an attractive asset to Consultancies. Consultants will use Units that can provide a professional standard of service but who also set their rates at such a level to allow for a profit to be made.
If you think that Unit Managers are hiring field archaeologists out at a large mark-up, you should see the profit that Consultants make. The actual cost to Clients is disproportionately inflated to ensure that a whole gamete of non-front-line staff make a comfortable living from the labours of front-line archaeologists. Trust me- if you think that front-line archaeologists are exploited by Unit Managers alone then you are sadly misinformed. It goes something like this;
I clean cars for a living. I can clean inside and out for ten pounds.
Come and work for me and I will give you 12 pounds per car.
I own a car-cleaning company who can clean your car inside and out for eighty pounds.
I am a consultant who can engage your company in cleaning cars for my clients.
Hello Mr client, I can advise you how best to have your cars cleaned and do each car at the knock-down price of eight hundred pounds per car.