Vicky Wiseman
>But don't we who accept poverty-level jobs also send the message that we
agree that that's all we are worth?<
I'd say it shows that some people need a job and will take it even if they
are worth more. If everyone held out for the 'properly paid' jobs they
might be waiting a long time.
Even if these badly paid jobs weren't publicised in the Gazette people
still need a job and might have to put up with a bad situation. If enough
of us were in a position to live off savings/husbands/wives etc to wait
until only well paid jobs appear then that might be ok but I'm sure a lot
of people (most especially those starting out in the workplace) have to
take whatever they can to just survive.
I guess the hope is that if the pay is low whilst you are in that job you
can change things and prove your worth and the worth of the service but
again if theres a level at which we shouldn't have to start below supported
by a advocacy group or trade union it makes it a lot easier to start with.
That is obviously the work of a trade union, which CILIP isn't. I think
people, for which salary is either the main or only point they are
concerned with would say 'well what use is CILIP then'? 'Maybe I should be
spending my subscription fee on a Trade Union membership instead?'
If there is an expectation that a professional organisation WILL do these
things (like other professions do) then that is wrong and maybe that fact
needs pointing out more strongly to people. Especially when being signed up
in the first place.
Kevin
Kevin Symonds
Librarian
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
15 Chaucer Road
Cambridge
CB2 2EF
Tel: 01223 355294 ext 110
Fax: 01223 359062
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