Field archaeologists work physically demanding jobs exposed to the elements, often for low pay and meager benefits from private employers. We spoke to one self-identified “dirty shovel bum” about why he and his coworkers are organizing.
“meager benefits”, I wish. I have a specialized degree and nearly 15 years of experience in CRM, and I have absolutely none. No vacation, no sick leave, no health insurance, no retirement, nada. And essentially no chance of that changing without going back to school to get a master’s, and even then no guarantee. I hear legends from time to time of field techs trying to unionize back in the 90s and getting blacklisted, hopefully this time it takes off instead.
“meager benefits”, I wish. I have a specialized degree and nearly 15 years of experience in CRM, and I have absolutely none. No vacation, no sick leave, no health insurance, no retirement, nada. And essentially no chance of that changing without going back to school to get a master’s, and even then no guarantee. I hear legends from time to time of field techs trying to unionize back in the 90s and getting blacklisted, hopefully this time it takes off instead.