Unionizing American Archaeology
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Unionizing American Archaeology
@unionizearch.bsky.social
160 followers 230 following 42 posts
An account run by archaeologists organizing to secure a better future for archaeological field technicians in American CRM
https://linktr.ee/archunion
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TetraTech, an engineering consulting firm with extensive cultural resource management contracts across the U.S., has been awarded a contract to build an IDF-controlled settlement in Gaza...The entanglement between genocidal powers and the American CRM industry is a travesty 🏺
Screenshot of an Instagram post by @conflictwire. The post includes an aerial photo showing the areas of Israeli control in Gaza and the following text: "On Nov. 11, US media reported that the Trump administration was preparing to implement a plan that would create "Alternate Safe Communities" in IDF-controlled areas of Gaza east of the Yellow Line, with a pilot site set to be built in Rafah, southern Gaza. Basic services would be provided as well as temporary housing for approximately 25,000 people, vetted by Israeli intelligence to filter out Hamas members. The US State Department awarded Tetra Tech with a contract to build the first settlement. So what? This is consistent with Israel's efforts to undermine the Hamas movement as a governing body of the Gaza Strip by establishing parallel, competing structures and is in line with our previous assessment that Tel Aviv likely hopes to expand the influence of various anti-Hamas armed groups into Hamas-controlled territory and undermine its status as governing authority in a divided Gaza Strip. This new reporting shows it intends to push peo leave the unsafe areas towards ones under nominal IDF control being rebuilt.
December 1, 2025 at 1:04 AM
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Give your bosses a fright! Join a union!
A graphic with a photo of a spooky tree in the background. There is an orange jack o'lantern in the center of the image with a black sabo cat hissing in front of it. Green text at the top of the image reads "bosses can't scare us"
October 23, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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Statement on American Cultural Resource Management Companies and Saudi Arabia
White text on Black background. Statement on American Cultural Resource Management Companies and Saudi Arabia In recent days, the news of comedians accepting money from the government of Saudi Arabia to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival has cast a spotlight on the ethics surrounding business ties to a government with a documented history of human rights abuses including slavery, the murder of journalists, and financial support of terrorism. While the current media cycle focuses on the involvement of celebrity comedians, we take this opportunity to condemn the lesser known, but no less unethical, business relationships between the American cultural resource management industry and the government of Saudi Arabia. Namely, Chronicle Heritage, AECOM, and WSP each have extensive contracts with the Saudi government, with Chronicle Heritage specifically providing archaeological services to the Saudi government through the Royal Commission for Al-Ula to support the development of their cultural tourism industry. These business entanglements are especially troubling as they directly support the advancement of development projects that will almost certainly be carried out by exploited slave laborers, as is the case with countless projects sponsored by the Saudi government. As a collective of cultural resource management professionals organizing for better labor conditions for archaeological technicians in the United States, Unionizing American Archaeology stands in solidarity with exploited workers around the globe, and strongly condemns the participation of American CRM companies in Saudi government development projects. Archaeological technicians who work for multiple companies on a contract basis are in a unique position to take a stand against this massive ethical violation by refusing employment offers from companies with business relationships with the Saudi government. We urge archaeological technicians to refuse work with Chronicle Heritage, AECOM, WSP, and an…
October 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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Archaeological field technicians are long overdue for a union and the time to organize is NOW! If you're a field tech in CRM and interested in organizing your workplace, let us know and we can help connect you with the resources to get started!
A black outline map of the continental United States. The map is titled "Join a union, join the MOVEMENT" and subtitled " CRM Union Elections...so far!" 4 states are colored in, which represent the states where CRM union elections have been held. Each state is labeled with a text box with an arrow pointing to a locator pin at the city where the election was held. The text boxes read: Salt Lake City, UT March 2024 Archaeologists at SWCA Environmental Consultants vote to join Teamsters Local 222 Denver, CO July 2025 Archaeologists at SWCA Environmental Consultants vote to join Teamsters Local 455 Pittsburgh, PA* January 2025 Archaeologists at SWCA Environmental Consultants vote to join Teamsters Local 341 *Election held, ballot tally pending Frederick, MD June 2024 Archaeologists at Goodwin & Associates vote to join Teamsters Local 992
August 21, 2025 at 1:16 AM
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This is what companies wish they could get away with but we won't let them!!
A recent job posting on shovelbums was retracted and reposted after receiving backlash for trying to offer $13/hr for a tech position (a living wage in Pennsylvania is estimated to be $22.91/hr) 🏺
Screenshot of an email. Subject line reads: [ShovelBums] Archaeological Field Technician Opportunity in Ligonier, PA - The Markosky Engineering Group Inc. Email reads: June 25 To: ShovelBums@groups.io Please post: Job Description: Archaeological Tec nician - Hourly rate: $13.00-20.00 FSA Status: Non-exempt Feports to: Principal Investigator/Archaeological Coup Leader (directly to Field Cupervisor/Field Director when in the field Job Summary: Archaeological Technicians provide general archaeological support with fieldwork, lab work, inventorying, and curation. If their training allows, assist with artifact identification, or other specialization. Screenshot of an email. Subject line reads: EXT: [ShovelBums] (Wages corrected) Archaeological Field Technician Opportunity in Ligonier, PA - The Markosky Engineering Group Email reads: to ShovelBums [Edited Message Follows] [Reason: Salary updated to $21-23/hr] Job Description: Archaeological Technician - Hourly rate: $21-23/hr
June 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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Start with a core group of organizers and build out from there! 3/3
Graphic image with white text over a faded light green image of a social network graph. There is a dark green title banner at the top of the graphic with white text that reads, "Build your network." The white text over the image reads, "The more support you can build amongst your coworkers, the more successful your campaigns will be. Meet your coworkers where they are and you can learn together the ways a union can change your workplace for the better."
June 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
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Mapping your workplace is an important early step in the organizing process 2/3
Graphic with white text overlain on a faded light green image of street map in the shape of a speech bubble. There is a dark green title banner at the top of the image with white text that reads, "map your workplace." The text over the image reads, "Who talks to who? Who do people turn to for leadership? What motivates your coworkers? What do they value? Understanding your coworkers & how they interact will help you connect w them & build momentum."
June 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
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Once you get the conversation started, it's important to identify other people in your workplace who can commit to helping you organize! 1/3
Graphic with a green clip art image of two hands shaking on a light gray background with white text above it reading "Find your allies" Graphic with white text over a light green image of 3 stick figures standing with their arms around each other. The top of the image has a dark green title banner with white text that reads, "Find your allies" The text over the image reads "if you're thinking about organizing, chances are you aren't the only one. Organizing takes work, and there is strength in numbers, so finding other ready to put in the time is key"
June 20, 2025 at 11:17 PM
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There's no such thing as a union of one, so start talking to your coworkers and build solidarity in the workplace!
Digital image of two light blue stick figures centered on a light gray background. They are holding shovels with a speech bubble above one of them indicating they are talking to each other. White text above them reads, "it starts with a conversation" and white text below them reads, "talk to your coworkers!" Digital image with white text written over multiple faded blue speech bubble graphics on a light gray background. Text at the top of the image is written on a blue title banner that reads, "Start A Conversation" and the white text over the speech bubbles reads, "Bosses want you to believe that talking about wages and other benefits will lead to tension, but the truth is being transparent with your coworkers builds solidarity!"
June 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Repatriation and Ethics- Part of the Conversation
Repatriation and Ethics-Part of the Conversation Zine text: Field techs were at the forefront of some of the longest running ethical debates in archaeology. The Underground editors and readers were voicing their support for Indigenous rights decades before these positions were widely accepted. Even today, some of the ethical critiques presented in The Underground would be considered radical, especially when it came to anti-capitalist critique of the industry. Text excerpts from The Underground: "One Archaeologist on Ethics & Activism- Owing to the mix of people at the conference (collectors academics, contract folk) the consensus was pretty much repatriation is something to be dealt with unfortunately. I am constantly surprised how hostile "archaeologist" are toward the native americans they devote their lives to studying." "Development the very bread and butter of our professional existance is quickly destroying the natural environment that existed in this country for the entire history of the aboriginals we study. Native American rights are still ignored by our government and archaeologists feel that they are antagonistic toward our aims well what have you done for them lately?"
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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Life on the road.
Life on the road Zine text: The Underground covered the highs and lows of the traveling field tech. Their 1993 poll found that travel was one of the most popular aspects of the job, along with working outdoors and meeting new people on the road. But let's face it, terrible motels are a universal, no matter what year it is...At least we can say that sharing rooms is mostly a thing of the past! Text excerpt from The Underground: "The Worst Hotel I Ever Stayed In (to be a regular feature) Without a doubt, the worst hotel I ever stayed in was ZOLTARS outside of Kittaning, PA. A craft show in town forced us out of our plush 1 Comfort Inn and into motel hell. When the crew motorcade arrived in the parking lot the looks on the faces of his crew left no doubt in the field director's mind that mutiny could indeed take place on land. "Isn't there any place else..." "Do you live within driving distance of your usual employer? yes-11, no-16" "Do you usually have own room? Have own room-10, share room-19 "The Worst Motel I Ever Stayed In Archaeologists who have been in the field for a while look forward to reporting to a motel with a familiar sounding name. Be at the Days Inn or the Econo-Lodge Sunday night... fine | I know what to expect. But I couldn't! help but cringe when I heard I would be staying at The Daniel Boone Motor Lodge for four weeks in Hazard, KY."
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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"OK, So We Are Not In It For The Money, But !!??"
"OK, So We Are Not In It For The Money, But !!??" Zine text: One of the most common complaints voiced in The Underground is the persistent devaluing of archaeological field labor. A poll circulated in the zine in 1993 found that the average respondent (primarily techs working east of the Mississippi) made only $8/hr, the equivalent of $17.67/hr in 2025. In 2022, the average tech made $20.89/hr (from CRM in the Field, Nelson 2024) 1993 median income: $31,241 ($15/hr) Tech Pay = $7 less 2022 median income: $74,580 ($36/hr) Tech Pay = $15 less Text excerpts from The Underground: (2025 Equivalent value provided in parentheses) "How much do you (tech) usually make an hour? Less than $7 (Less than $15.46) - 0 $7-$7.50 ($15.46-$16.56) - 3 $7.50-$8 ($16.56-$17.67) - 12 $8-$8.50 ($17.67-$18.77) - 9 $8.50-$9 ($18.77-$19.87) - 2 $9-$9.50 ($19.87-$20.98) - 2 $9.50-$10 ($20.98-$22.08)- 1 More than $10 (More than $22.08) - 0" "Why is the work we do so undervalued/undercompensated? It would seem that the way the profession is set up you are not expected to be able to make a living as a field archaeologist at the technician level. The way it works now field folks will work for a while and then either move up to higher paying, usually office type positions, or move on to another profession when they ge tired of living from paycheck to pay-check. We believe this is wrong." "HIP, HIP, HOORAY !! WE FINALLY SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO JOIN THE SAA !!!"
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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What we need is a union!
With a little help from my friends Zine text: In the absence of formal industry resources for skills development and networking, The Underground was a place for field techs to pool their knowledge and share tips and tricks with one another to improve the quality of archaeological fieldwork. The editors circulated updates about new projects, regulations, and academic research, many of which were submitted to the zine by its sprawling network of readers. Text excerpts from The Underground: "***** JOB HINTS ***** You can get a list with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the companies conducting archaeological fieldwork in a particular state by calling that state's Historic Preservation Office." "[Text under image of soil texture chart scanned from a textbook] The above graph shows how to classify soils. We use it alot and its a good idea to have it handy we suggest copying it and laminating it to the back of your field clipboard (from the USDA)" "Many people thought that I solidarity among field techs was an important issue, we I need to demand certain I standards be met before we will work for a company"
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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With a little help from my friends...
With a little help from my friends Zine text: In the absence of formal industry resources for skills development and networking, The Underground was a place for field techs to pool their knowledge and share tips and tricks with one another to improve the quality of archaeological fieldwork. The editors circulated updates about new projects, regulations, and academic research, many of which were submitted to the zine by its sprawling network of readers. Text excerpts from The Underground: "***** JOB HINTS ***** You can get a list with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the companies conducting archaeological fieldwork in a particular state by calling that state's Historic Preservation Office." "[Text under image of soil texture chart scanned from a textbook] The above graph shows how to classify soils. We use it alot and its a good idea to have it handy we suggest copying it and laminating it to the back of your field clipboard (from the USDA)" "Many people thought that I solidarity among field techs was an important issue, we I need to demand certain I standards be met before we will work for a company"
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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What makes a "professional" archaeologist?
What makes a "professional" archaeologist? Zine text: More than one CRM manager wrote in to voice the widely held opinion that field technicians are not "professional" archaeologists. Text excerpt from The Underground: "Dear "Underground":. Quit your whining. If you want to get paid more and move into more responsible positions in cultural resource management, then go to graduate school and get the credentials required by the Federal regulations implementing the National Historic Preservation Act." Zine text: In the 1990s, federal job categories and professional organizations tried to codify the definition of an archaeologist to exclude the vast majority of the people who worked in archaeology. Text excerpts from The Underground: "*The Arch Tech" described here sounds like an archaeologist to us -The Eds" "SOPA -Or "The Society of Professional Archaeologists" is a national organization that "certifies" its mem-bers as "professional archaologists". (Try telling a field tech who has been living in the field for a few years that they are not "professional archaeologists we know better!)"
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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Why zines? Because archaeological field techs have been using zines to discuss labor issues in cultural resource management since the 90s! 🏺
Best of "The Underground" From 1993 to 1995, The Underground was a zine written by and for people who lived in motels- archaeological field technicians. The Underground functioned as a community space in a pre-internet age by providing a way for archaeological workers to widely discuss both the positive and negative aspects of the CRM industry and of the field as a whole. Its role as a trusted venue for honestly reporting personal accounts of the poor labor conditions in field archaeology makes it an invaluable archive covering a significant period in the history of unions in CRM, as well as an intimate lens into the experiences of field techs 30 years ago... Ask yourself why they sound so familiar.
June 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
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Spiderman pointing at spiderman meme. A comic panel with seven spidermans standing in a circle pointing at one another. Each spiderman is labeled "unhappy worker" and text at the top of the image reads "when you finally talk to your coworkers about your working conditions and realize you need a union"
June 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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Learn more about the resources available to you at the link in our bio!
Resources You're not alone! If you and your co-workers are looking to organize a union, reach out to the local office of a well-established union and talk with an organizer about whether or not they're the right fit to represent you and your co-workers. You can also unionize independently, but affiliating with an established union means you can take advantage of their experience and resources. As of April 2025, the only union actively organizing in private CRM are the Teamsters, but there are plenty of other unions you can reach out to. Look into which unions are the most active in your area and pick one that best aligns with your needs and values. Some other major American unions are: -United Auto Workers (UAW) -Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) -International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) An Injury to One is an Injury to All
June 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
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Direct action gets the goods!
DIRECT ACTION Before the NLRA and the NLRB, there was no law that compelled employers to treat their workers fairly, but the vast majority of union history and some of the most signficant labor victories in the US took place before they even existed. Without legal action, unions relied on direct action to pressure their bosses into signing contracts and meeting worker demands. Direct action relies on the workers' ability to strategically control and/or withhold their own labor as a way of acheiving their goals. Some forms of direct action are currently protected under the NLRA, but the advantage of direct action in labor organizing is that it targets the bosses where it hurts most: their profits. -Refusal to work (Strike) -Work slowdown -Work-to-rule (Compliance with unreasonable rules/procedures) -Sit-down strike -Sick-in (Collectively calling out sick)
June 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
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Know Your Rights*
*And know they can change
Know Your Rights* The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects your right to organize with your co-workers for better working conditions, regardless of whether or not you are in a union. This means that it is illegal for your employer to seek retribution against you for trying to organize a union or for participating in "concerted activities" with your co-workers to improve your lives at work. These protected activities include: -Discussing your pay and benefits with co-workers -Circulating a petition addressing specific greivances -Refusing to participate in unsafe activity -Participating in lawful strikes *The current administration is working to strip away worker protections and signficantly reduce the oversight and enforcement power of the NLRB. While these rights still exist, there is no guarantee that they will be protected in the face of employer retribution. Be careful, be smart, and stay organized!
June 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
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The WHO, WHEN, and WHERE of getting organized
Get Organized! Who? Employees eligible to participate in union elections are known as the bargaining unit. This varies from workplace to workplace, but generally any non-supervisory employee is included. At a CRM office, this might include field and lab technicians, staff archaeologists, crew chiefs, and sometimes field directors. You should "map" your workplace early to define the bargaining unit, find allies, and rely on existing relationships to strategically bring more co-workers on board. Start by talking to the people you trust or that you know are pro-union and build out from there. When? You have the right to discuss your working conditions with your co-workers and participate in organizing actitivies during non-work hours. This includes any time you are at work (office or field) but not on the clock, like breaks, crew dinners, or unpaid drive time. Where? Certain activities can take place anywhere in the workplace during non-working hours. However, other activities, like passing out union literature, must ALSO take place in non-working areas, like the parking lot. Even when it is allowed, be careful where you talk about unionizing at work. The earlier your employer knows about your campaign, the more time they have to organize against you.
June 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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HOW do you get a union?
How do you get a union? Technically, any group of workers organizing collectively is a union, but in the United States there is a process of legal union recognition overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Legal recognition compels an employer to bargain with their unionized employees to reach a contract that satisfies the needs the union membership. Ther first step to forming a union at your workplace is getting at least 30% of your co-workers to sign a petition stating their desire for a union (but in practice you will usually need a strong majority for a successful union campaign). Once you have enough signatures, there are two paths to legal recognition of your union. The first, voluntary recognition, requires the boss to willingly begin contract negotiations after recognizing that the majority of their employees want a union, and is very uncommon. Most unions are recognized via elections held by the NLRB.
June 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
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WHY join a union?
Why join a union? There is strength (and power) in numbers! Unions use a broad range of tactics to organize for better working conditions, resolve workplace greivances, and exercise control over their working lives. Some examples of what organizing a union at your workplace can win for you and your co-workers are: -Better, more equitable pay -Benefits and sick leave -Job security and professional development -Hazard pay -Stronger safety and reporting procedures
June 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
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WHAT is a union?
What is a union? A union is a group of workers using their collective power to secure better working conditions by bargaining with their employers as a unit. Unions work because employers rely on workers and their labor to generate profits for themselves. A single employee is easy to replace, but when employees work together to pressure their boss they become much more difficult to ignore. Worker power comes from our ability to control our own labor—their businesses only work if we do!
June 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
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Want to know more about how you and your crew can organize a union at your workplace? Check out our zine on the basics of unionizing! Printable copies of all our zines are available through the link in our bio!
Front cover of zine. Title text is in black and gray over an illustration of a shovel. Text reads: Unions: what? Why? How? Who? Where? When? A Field Tech's Guide to Organizing Your Crew
June 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM