Last month at MoLAS's London HQ, archaeologists with various backgrounds and experience met to discuss the latest IFA initiative: 'The Diggers Forum.'

Acting Committee member Paul Everill explains what this new group hopes to achieve:

Ten of us made the trip, and none of us knew whether the train fare would be worth it. Later though, as we headed to the pub to wrap up the day, we all felt that the Forum was not only worth the fare, but was an exciting prospect for the future of contract archaeology too.

Our aim is to establish an IFA special interest group for the most under-represented sector of contract archaeology: the site staff!

As with other special interest groups (such as those for Finds, Buildings, Maritime Archaeology etc) IFA membership will not be a prerequisite for those wanting to get involved. Instead, non-IFA members will be asked to pay a minimal annual rate to cover postage and administration, about the cost of a couple of pints of beer a year. Members should be able to discuss issues at national and local meetings, and there will be a newsletter and a website detailing developments in the profession and the work being done by the Committee to push for change.

Many people will ask what can really be achieved in my name? Well, how about this - the Diggers Forum is primarily conceived as a way of unifying contract archaeologists to campaign through the IFA for change within the profession. Archaeologists involved in excavation and post-excavation assessment are currently under-represented (as opposed to managers, consultants, county officers etc). The Forum will aim to redress this balance and keep the issues that affect us at the top of the IFA agenda.

We all know there are serious problems that desperately need resolving: poor pay and conditions, lack of training/career progression, poor health and safety standards, under-funded projects. The Forum will serve as a platform providing information and news about subjects affecting archaeologists and how the IFA responds to them. Through the Forum we can discuss and formulate responses to IFA initiatives and put forward our own. We aim to strengthen our voice by increasing our representation on IFA Council and various committees. From this position we can potentially influence issues from the subscription rates for PIFAs, recommended minimum wages, effective and transparent disciplining of units with poor employment practice. You name it!

The work of setting the Forum up is still ongoing, but soon we can begin to really change things. There will never be a better opportunity and now there really are NO excuses for not getting involved.

If you want more information on the next meeting or membership please contact: Jez Taylor jezt@molas.org.uk (0207 410 2242) or Chris Clarke tallteddyc@hotmail.com (07751 612574).

The Digger and BAJR wholeheartedly supports this initiative and we urge readers to get involved.

Web Links::

Prospect Union website

Manifesto for Archaeology