In late October, the Guardian’s architecture critic Oliver Wainwright reported that the United Kingdom’s first architecture union had been formed. The Section of Architecture Workers (UVW-SAW) is a section of the United Voices of the World, a new model of grassroots trade union that supports the expansion of union ideals to professions and sectors which traditionally did not have such representation. The launch of the union, and the reasons behind it, serve as the latest episode in long-running concern over the working conditions faced by architects in the UK and across the world.
In a series of recent surveys by the Architect’s Journal, 24% of survey respondents were victims of racism in the workplace, while women were paid 24% less than men, and 1 in 7 experienced sexual discrimination or harassment. Regarding working hours, 40% worked over 10 hours overtime per week, while 23% had agreed in contract negotiations to waive their European Union Directive right to work no more than 48 hours per week. Almost one quarter who signed the clause said they believed it was necessary to secure the job.
