Employees at SHoP Architects are advancing a plan to form a union.
Citing long hours with low pay, organizers at the 135-person SHoP told the New York Times that well over half their eligible colleagues had signed cards supporting the union. The firm’s union would affiliate with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
The effort would be the first to successfully form a union at a prominent private-sector architecture firm in the country, according to the Times. The firm did not comment on whether it would recognize the union.
An organizer for the machinists union told the newspaper that he has talked with architects who were in the process of organizing at two other prominent New York firms. The unionizing effort in the design industry may reflect rising interest in unionization among professionals in several other industries.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2016
New York becomes the first city to adopt a target for energy storage
Mayor de Blasio also announces increased solar generation goals
Codes and Standards | Oct 4, 2016
New global residential floor space measurement standard unveiled
The new standards will produce better transparency and are said to benefit investors.
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2016
Dept. of Energy forecasts big jump in LED use, resulting energy savings
Big gains are expected in both commercial and residential markets.
Codes and Standards | Sep 28, 2016
San Francisco commercial, multifamily regulations aim to reduce traffic volume
City planners will require design features to cut miles driven.
Codes and Standards | Sep 28, 2016
Society of Landscape Architects releases guide to resilient design
The goal is to retrofit communities to better withstand extreme weather events.
Codes and Standards | Sep 26, 2016
Washington State Energy Code updates include dedicated outdoor air system requirements
The updates will change design approach to HVAC.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2016
Construction firms pulling back from federal market due to new reporting rules
‘Subjective, very vague’ policies are said to create too much risk.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2016
Airbnb presents legal liability for multifamily owners
How building owners can reduce risks.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2016
Healthy buildings becoming a key design priority for both architects and building owners
Nationwide survey finds nearly three of four architects cite health impacts influencing design decisions
Data Centers | Sep 19, 2016
New ANSI/ASHRAE data center standard is performance-based, more flexible
The aim of the standard was to ‘not stifle innovation.’