Unionizing American Archaeology
@unionizearch.bsky.social
An account run by archaeologists organizing to secure a better future for archaeological field technicians in American CRM https://linktr.ee/archunion
Our more in-depth story on the sudden shut down of Chronicle Heritage. I talk to a handful of employees who recount their experience and concerns following the company’s dissolution. Many worry about the thousands of artifacts still in Chronicle’s care. #Archaeology #CRM 🧪🏺 New at @science.org
Major employer of archaeologists shuts down, leaving workers in the lurch
The “ungraceful exit” of Chronicle Heritage leaves many researchers fearful for the future
science.org
We have heard from recently laid off Chronicle employees who are working on their own time to try and facilitate transfers of collections bc unlike the people who ran the company, they actually care about protecting cultural heritage. This situation is a travesty.
Archeopark@archeopark.bsky.social · 3d agoI appreciate this more in-depth look at how it all unfolded. There’s still concern about what happens to the artifacts, paperwork, and most importantly, human remains. bsky.app/profile/tmit...
More on the Chronicle Heritage shutdown! 📰🏺
Taylor Mitchell Brown@tmitchellbrown.bsky.social · 3d agoOur more in-depth story on the sudden shut down of Chronicle Heritage. I talk to a handful of employees who recount their experience and concerns following the company’s dissolution. Many worry about the thousands of artifacts still in Chronicle’s care. #Archaeology #CRM 🧪🏺 New at @science.org
The shitty news aggregators are pumping out inaccurate rehashes of the (accurate) Science story on Chronicle Heritage. "some observers have estimated that Chronicle Heritage conducted up to 90 percent of the archaeological research performed in the U.S. last year." 🏺 www.inc.com/lucia-auerba...
The Nation's Largest Archaeology Firm Abruptly Shut Down. The 600-Plus Layoffs Aren't the Biggest Concern
Chronicle Heritage closed more than 20 offices without a public announcement, leaving employees shocked and major archaeological projects facing an uncertain future.
inc.com
This is the first story I've seen that tries to "look under the hood" of Chronicle Heritage. Interesting look at how CH corporate skirted safeguards designed to protect employees from being sandbagged by a sudden closing. excerpts below if you're paywalled 🏺 www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news...
Global land survey firm shutters, lays off all Phoenix workers - Phoenix Business Journal
The 600-person global firm failed to secure new financing or a management buyout, leading to the decision to close down completely.
bizjournals.com
If you've been following the Chronicle Heritage news and worried that you and your coworkers may be next, remember that it's always a good time to organize a union and take control of your working conditions! 🏺
If you've been following the Chronicle Heritage news and worried that you and your coworkers may be next, remember that it's always a good time to organize a union and take control of your working conditions! 🏺
🚨 Breaking News!!!
Taylor Mitchell Brown@tmitchellbrown.bsky.social · 6d agoChronicle Heritage, the largest cultural resources management firm in the US, abruptly shuttered its operations last week. The sudden closure leaves many archaeologists without work just as the US field season is coming to a close. This is a developing story. 🧪🏺 #Archaeology at @science.org
Hundreds of archaeologists 🏺across the country just lost their jobs with no notice, but did you know that companies are actually required by law to provide formal notice of mass layoffs at least 60 days in advance?
Hundreds of archaeologists 🏺across the country just lost their jobs with no notice, but did you know that companies are actually required by law to provide formal notice of mass layoffs at least 60 days in advance?
As a former CRM field director- I always despised large regional/national firms that low balled contracts and took work away from local subject matter specialists that could actually approach their work as scholarship. There is not much new work out there due to Trump administration de-regulations.
CRM is squarely at the intersection of Capitalism St. and Colonialism Ave. The archaeologists and the heritage they ostensibly protect are inherently susceptible to interests and legislation actively disincentivized from promoting sustainable and equitable treatment of workers and First Nations.🏺
Unionizing American Archaeology@unionizearch.bsky.social · 2w agoYesterday one of the largest CRM employers in the country, Chronicle Heritage, announced that they are dissolving the company and immediately fired and recalled all of their deployed field crews with no notice or severance. Private equity is a disease 🏺
Anyway this is what I was vagueposting about yesterday. If you’re not in the industry it’s hard to understand the scale, but that’s maybe HALF of the jobs in the industry just POOF not to mention the projects they’re just… abandoning?
Unionizing American Archaeology@unionizearch.bsky.social · 2w agoYesterday one of the largest CRM employers in the country, Chronicle Heritage, announced that they are dissolving the company and immediately fired and recalled all of their deployed field crews with no notice or severance. Private equity is a disease 🏺
I hope they get raked for likely violating the WARN act in some of the states they have offices. Most of these employees didnt even get 24hr notice.
Yesterday one of the largest CRM employers in the country, Chronicle Heritage, announced that they are dissolving the company and immediately fired and recalled all of their deployed field crews with no notice or severance. Private equity is a disease 🏺
We need to name and shame the cultural resource management company involved in this immediately 🏺
Congressman Don Beyer@beyer.house.gov · 3w agoAfter hearing from constituents who saw construction equipment at the site of Trump’s proposed arch, I drove down to Columbia Island to see for myself. I found workers operating heavy equipment who told me they were conducting archaeological work. My full statement:
The calls and emails have been rolling in but the week's not done yet! 🏺
Unionizing American Archaeology@unionizearch.bsky.social · 3w agoShow solidarity with unionized archaeologists with a week-long phone/email zap starting Monday, September 21st!
Our week-long phone/email zap starts today! We need your help to pressure Goodwin & Associates to sign a fair contract! 🏺
Unionizing American Archaeology@unionizearch.bsky.social · 3w agoIt's 2026, and they are STILL fighting for a fair contract! Here's how you can help!
Show solidarity with unionized archaeologists with a week-long phone/email zap starting Monday, September 21st!
So a majority of #archaeology in the US is driven by Section 106. Most archaeologists work for the #Crm industry. This is also the mechanism by which 99% of preservation occurs in this country. It is about to go away.
Exhausted archaeologist-exhausteologist@hknorton.bsky.social · 3mo ago🧵It's been a tough few days for #Archaeology and #HistoricPreservation in the US. ACHP released proposed regs changes to S106 on FRIDAY EVENING. They have betrayed all committments to an established timeline or collaboration with preservation partners. The proposed changes subordinate NHPA to NEPA;
The attack on Chaco Canyon, the shrinking of Bears Ears, the gutting of Section 106 is all related. Erasing tangible places that hold our history is the ultimate erasure of the people connected to those places. When that history is forgotten the land is free for extraction.
The non-archaeological community needs to know the administration is gutting the law that preserves historical sites for the benefit of the nation, weakening the voices of tribes in the process. While it may be a fait accompli commenting will provide future lawsuits with material to fight back.
Exhausted archaeologist-exhausteologist@hknorton.bsky.social · 3mo ago🧵It's been a tough few days for #Archaeology and #HistoricPreservation in the US. ACHP released proposed regs changes to S106 on FRIDAY EVENING. They have betrayed all committments to an established timeline or collaboration with preservation partners. The proposed changes subordinate NHPA to NEPA;
Attention for field techs 🚨 Make sure you avoid REI's annual sale when you're stocking up for field season this year!! Solidarity with REI workers!
Mel Buer@melbuer.bsky.social · 5mo agoNEW on the podcast: REI workers are calling for a national consumer boycott of the popular outdoor sports co-op during it’s annual anniversary sale from May 15-25. I sat down with Ashley, a worker in Greensboro, NC to talk about what’s been happening at the table, boycotts as a tactic, and more.
Boosting for TDOV 🏳️⚧️ with a question for trans field archaeologists... How do you want to see companies protect you in these situations?
Unionizing American Archaeology@unionizearch.bsky.social · 7mo agoHow are CRM 🏺 companies with projects in Idaho planning to protect their trans field staff?
How are CRM 🏺 companies with projects in Idaho planning to protect their trans field staff?
History practitioners find deep meaning in their work—but they're also experiencing burnout and concerned about low pay. Learn more about the public history workforce: aaslh.org/history-work... Join us to discuss at our upcoming virtual summit: aaslh.org/workforce-su... #WorkforceWednesday
