Sir, – The aim of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI), through the representation of our members, is to advance and strengthen the profession of archaeology in Ireland and membership is open to professional archaeologists working in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. The IAI represents members working in the public sector, the private (or “commercial”) sector, as well as museums and academia. We support the rights of Irish archaeologists, both as employees and employers, to a stable and sustainable employment environment.
As construction projects gain pace once again, there is an accelerating demand for suitably trained, qualified and experienced archaeologists to undertake necessary mitigatory works. In order to keep these individuals, and their knowledge, in the sector, appropriate remuneration and working conditions are a necessity. This has long been a concern to our members and was formally assessed by a Working Group for the Review of Pay Rates, commissioned by the IAI in March 2014. For all archaeologists, recognition (financial and otherwise) of their qualifications and their professional work is of key importance.
In order to achieve this, it is important for our small profession to unite to address these issues and for all parties to show willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations about employment conditions. The IAI is not a union and cannot enforce any sectoral pay rates for our members. Given our diverse professional membership and our cross-Border agenda, the IAI has long maintained a neutrality on the issue of pay and remuneration, which varies across the public and private sector and between national boundaries.
Archaeologists working in the public and academic sectors have a long tradition of trade union recognition and representation; we believe that the commercial sector should be no different. The board of the IAI is willing to facilitate discussions and act as a mediator between the interested parties. As ever, if any member of the IAI has any concerns regarding this area, we would invite them to raise these with the board.
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The board would like to acknowledge the commercial sector employers and the Unite trade union who have engaged in the negotiation of these rights to date. We hope that their ongoing dialogue will be fruitful and bring archaeology to equivalence with other areas of the construction sector. Ultimately, these actions provide for a greater recognition of archaeology as a true profession. – Yours, etc,
Dr JAMES BONSALL,
Chairman,
Institute of Archaeologists
of Ireland,
Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – We note with concern your recent story highlighting the significant problems regarding pay and conditions in the archaeological profession in Ireland ("Archaeologists seek 'appropriate' pay after site walk-off", News, ttps://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/archaeologists-s eek-appropriate-pay-after-site-walk-off-1.3558194July 9th).
UCD School of Archaeology is the largest provider of archaeological education and training in Ireland and we have a keen interest in the working conditions and employment standards of the profession which many of our students enter.
Archaeology is a creative, interdisciplinary, hugely varied subject requiring diverse skills and competencies.
Our graduates and many other professional archaeologists are highly educated, skilled and passionate about their work. They are entitled to the opportunity to work in a profession with proper pay and conditions.
Archaeology contributes significantly to Ireland’s national identity and cultural heritage. Beyond the inherent value of cultural heritage, it is widely recognised as having a significant role in driving tourism and as of economic benefit. It is also evident that Ireland needs to have the sectoral capacity to provide high quality archaeological advice and intervention in the context of the delivery of infrastructural or commercial developments.
This capacity is threatened by the current difficulties of pay and conditions.
We strongly support the aims of improving pay and conditions in the archaeological profession. – Yours, etc,
Prof GRAEME WARREN,
Prof AIDAN O’SULLIVAN,
UCD School of Archaeology,
Belfield,
Dublin 4.