Fellow HistArchers:
Since posting the call for papers for an SHA 2001 session, Ethics in
Archaeological Employment (see below), I have received a number of
off-list comments. Those comments indicate dissatisfaction, not just on
the part of field and laboratory technicians, but sole proprietorship
firms and representatives of government agencies, and practitioners in
related fields.

I prefer not to respond to each individual, but hope that you will all
participate in the session, in the audience if not on the panel. Those
who want to give papers and help direct the discussion still have time
to contribute abstracts...but not much time. I am particularly
interested in the view from the larger CRM firms.

Recent personal experience and two recent articles in the Washington
Post also have drawn my attention to the plight of adjunct faculty.
Their poor rates of pay, ineligibility for benefits, and lack of
commitment from employing institutions mirrors the situation of many CRM
technicians, and the resulting lack of stability in academic departments
probably approximates the difficulties experienced by mid-sized and
large CRM firms.

This session is an opportunity to openly discuss these issues and to
begin the search for solutions.

Jim Gibb

Organized Session: Ethics in Contractual Archaeological Employment:
Flexibility or Denied Responsibility
Session Abstract
Every year talented, well-educated, well-trained, hard working
practitioners leave archaeology, while others endure frustration,
inadequate healthcare, and financial hardship. Employers often deny
contractual and self-employed persons adequate compensation, workers'
compensation, benefits, and rights comparable to those given merit
employees with similar credentials, experiences, skills, and duties, and
despite their treatment in all other respects as employees. Benefits
include insurance and pension plans, paid holidays and sick time, and
social security contributions worth thousands of dollars a year to
individual workers.

The use of contractual workers and self-employed contractors figures
prominently in archaeology's failure to retain and fairly treat many
colleagues, while potentially holding government agencies, universities,
museums, and corporations liable for millions of dollars in penalties
and back taxes. Contributors to this session will discuss contractual
employment, the roles of contracted workers in archaeology,
price-cutting through the use of contractual labor, and guidelines for
professional conduct in hiring and compensating archaeologists,
historians, conservators, other allied professionals, and support
personnel. The session also is open to other issues in ethics and
employment.

James G. Gibb
2554 Carrollton Road
Annapolis, MD  21403
410.263.1102
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