n By Keith Hatch ‘‘
With Unite we’ve been able to unionise and fight for better pay and conditions for our members and show our solidarity to other branches and good causes
James Kyle, branch chair, Unite Archaeology
such facilities are required, is not to note that they are required by law, but that they are union mandated.”
Unite Archaeology members are currently involved in projects across Ireland, ranging from domestic housing and city centre developments to large infrastructure projects, such as the Luas Cross City, forthcoming Dublin Metro and major road building.
James feels being a part of Unite has seen real benefits to archaeological workers, saying, “We tried to unionise archaeologists 25 years ago, with a different union, but it didn’t work.
“With Unite we’ve been able to unionise and fight for better pay and conditions for our members and show our solidarity to other branches and good causes.”
The branch’s first campaign – Digging for a Living Wage – sought to ensure that archaeologists working in the Republic were paid the Living Wage. The campaign was very successful, lifting workers in the commercial archaeology sector out of poverty pay.
There are also regular branch socials, or ShinDigs, that bring workers together to share experiences and ideas – and they have actively supported fellow construction campaigns including the recent dispute with the Mechanical Engineering and Building Services Contractors’ Association employers over travel time.
Maggie summed up, “For archaeologists who haven’t yet joined a union, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The bottom line is that archaeology bosses who support the union pay more and treat their staff like their work is fundamental to their business, because it is.”
FIND OUT MORE
Digging up the past – James Kyle in action
29 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2025
See Unite Ireland Archaeology at
www.unitearchaeologyireland.com/
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