Festival of Archaeology: how we are working to win for members
This week, we’re celebrating the 29th Festival of Archaeology, an awareness week that aims to widen participation in archaeology.
It’s slightly different this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but we’ll be celebrating digitally and sharing some stories from our members, reps and organisers who work in the industry.
It has been difficult in the industry, as it always is. The work done by archaeologists is of immense value to society and the pay does not mirror that. We know that archaeologists are not in it for the money, but for the love of the job.
And make no mistake, our members love their job. Steve White told us he loved that fact that “no two days are ever the same, it always throws up new challenges to overcome”.
Ben Saunders explained, “archaeology has given me the chance to work across the UK and Middle East, on land and offshore, while trying to improve the conditions and practices of the profession along the way.”
As Chris Brown states, “being an archaeologist gives me the amazing opportunity to get a hands on understanding with the people of the past and the story they have left behind.” It is our responsibility to ensure the people doing such incredible work are treated correctly in the workplace.
Coronavirus has had an impact on the industry, and the past few months have seen all our reps supporting our members through redundancies, furlough, home working, COVID safety, return to work and, ultimately, the reshaping of our working world.
If ever there was a time that being part of Prospect as an archaeologist was crucial to all aspects of working life, this is it.
In this time, our archaeology reps have embraced new challenges, and their working day has changed considerably!
Jessica Bryan, the Archaeologists Branch Chair, tells us she is “hopeful and concerned for what the future may bring for our industry.” Her workload has changed considerably to cope with the demands placed on her by the pandemic.
“The week before lockdown it became apparent we may need to provide more support to members as individuals started to enter into self-isolation and health and safety controls became more stringent.” On 19 March we published our first guidance to members.
On 23 March, Jessica chaired a meeting with the branch reps which discussed the rapidly changing situation, and the possible need to shut sites to prevent the spread of infection. “We realised at that early stage we were in a high-risk industry due to the nature of work.”
In recent weeks, we’ve been working to provide detailed guidance to members and employers to help keep them safe as they begin to return to workplaces.
We’re extremely grateful for our reps, who have achieved so much in challenging circumstances. Many of our reps have been putting in additional work outside of their working hours, closely working with Prospect officers to support members.
There are many other facets, but the main thing is being on your side. That’s what a union does.
As organiser Louise Staniforth explains, she sees “all ranges of emotions from our members, from disappointment and tears, to elation and hope. One thing for sure, is that each day is different, but every day I am inspired.”
Louise’s job involves supporting reps, improving structures, providing guidance and encouraging more members into the union. In short, Louise exists to be on your side. That’s what a union does.
It’s been an eventful year for our members in the industry. From our successful campaign to recruit 1,000 archaeology members, to our Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) members striking last December over terms, pay and conditions, it has been nothing if not eventful!
As a union we need to continue to grow in strength so we can represent our members as best we can. This means we need to grow in numbers – the more members we have in the industry, the more effective we can be in securing better pay, terms and conditions, and health and safety standards for our members.
COVID-19 will continue to affect us all in different ways at work and home, but with over 1,000 archaeologist members on your side, we respect each other and work together.
As Dr Lauren McIntyre says, she is “so privileged to be able to work on a huge variety of material, and there are always new things to learn.” It is our privilege to represent such a talented, dedicated and committed group of people.