Yes, Ross is correct, one way to increase wages is to cut labor. While
this is not something many directors want to do, it is a tried and true
technique. Don't think that as non-profits we are
exempt from the laws of economy. It seems that the Museum
field is a bit glutted with willing bodies (think about how many people
apply for one job at any Museum, usually well over 60 applicants), and as
long as there is someone willing to work for a low wage the economy of the
will support it. When there is an actual shortage of museum professionals
we should see an increase in wages. Do you think this will ever happen?
What will happen to the museum field as "Boomers" approach retirement?
Amy Kleinert
On Wed, 9 Aug 2000, Ross Weeks wrote:
> Carol is exactly right....the commitment must be made by the institution
> (composed of people) to upgrade compensation for the staff.
>
> One avenue, which is not always palatable, is to reduce the number of staff.
> If a ten-person staff is paid $200,000 including benefits, (average $20,000
> ea.) and the museum can always count on that $200,000 (more or less)....then
> a six-person staff can earn an average of $33,333 including benefits. I
> firmly believe that is the direction that most non-governmental museums will
> need to take, down the road, so long as our museums are viewed as "luxuries"
> rather than (as in school systems) "necessities."
>
> Ross Weeks Jr.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Carol Ely <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 11:41 AM
> Subject: museum salaries (yes, again!)
>
>
> > Other non-profits DO find ways to compensate their workers. No one
> > expects lavish, but liveable is non-negotiable. Or should be. When
> > teacher salaries were low, it was a national disgrace, and something was
> > done, even though it was "unaffordable". Now compare what a teacher with
> > experience and a master's degree gets in salary and benefits, and what a
> > museum educator with experience and a master's degree gets. Done
> > laughing yet?
> >
> > But I don't think there will be answers until it is acknowledged as a
> > PROBLEM that we should collectively pool our ideas to solve, and make a
> > commitment to upgrading museum salaries, by whatever means are
> > necessary. This is not something we should have to apologize for. It
> > will take creativity, and advocacy, and anger - but look at the other
> > impossible things we do in museums every day!
> >
> > Carol Ely
> > Ph.D., Museum Consultant
> > Louisville
>
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