In a first for the industry in the U.S., staff at a New York City architecture firm have joined a union.
The staff and management of Bernheimer Architecture recently announced that employees have organized under a voluntary recognition agreement and will join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Bernheimer Architecture’s leader and principal Andrew Bernheimer, released a statement in support of the decision to unionize. “We know that architecture is a discipline and profession that has a legacy of exploitation,” Bernheimer said in a New York Times report. “I am of the opinion that one possible way for things to improve is for educators and professionals to show that they value the people who make all of our architecture happen.”
The successful union drive at Bernheimer follows an unsuccessful campaign by employees at a much larger New York firm SHoP Architects. SHoP employees filed paperwork to hold a union election last year, but the petition was later withdrawn.
Related Stories
| Mar 22, 2013
8 cool cultural projects in the works
A soaring opera center in Hong Kong and a multi-tower music center in Calgary are among the latest cultural projects.
| Mar 22, 2013
Earn $500 as a DOE proposal reviewer
The DOE'S Building Technologies Office this morning put out a call to the AEC industry for expert reviewers for its new energy-efficiency initiative for small commercial buildings, which make up more than 90% of the commercial building stock.
| Mar 21, 2013
Turner report: Construction costs up slightly in first quarter
Turner Construction Company announced that the First Quarter 2013 Turner Building Cost Index – which measures costs in the non-residential building construction market in the United States – has increased to a value of 849. This reflects a 1.19% increase from the Fourth Quarter 2012 and a 3.41% increase from the First Quarter 2012.
| Mar 20, 2013
Architecture Billings Index up again in February
The American Institute of Architects reported the February ABI score was 54.9, up slightly from a mark of 54.2 in January. This score reflects a strong increase in demand for design services.
| Mar 15, 2013
Singapore R&D campus takes top honor in Lab of Year competition
Singapore CREATE R&D campus takes top honor in Lab of Year competition, sponsored by R&D Magazine.
| Mar 15, 2013
Ben Johanneman promoted to VP of operations for McCarthy Houston Office
The Texas Division of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., has promoted Ben Johanneman to vice president of operations for the Houston office. Johanneman is responsible for leading management and operations on projects. He will coordinate preconstruction strategy while also serving as the client interface.
| Mar 14, 2013
How to win more work from community colleges
The nation’s thousand-plus community college districts can be a steady source of income for your Building Team—provided you appreciate the special needs of this important sector of the higher education market.
| Mar 14, 2013
Shawmut Design and Construction promotes Randy Shelly to VP of Hospitality
Shawmut Design and Construction, located at 560 Harrison Avenue in Boston, has announced the promotion of Randy Shelly to Vice President of the company’s Hospitality Group. Shelly will replace veteran Paul Doherty, who has accepted a new position within Shawmut.