WHO is UVW-SAW and WHY are they fighting to unionize Architecture?

Unionisation in architecture raises difficult but important questions about work, pay, culture, ethics and how people in the profession organise for change.

Stephen Drew hosts an open discussion with UVW-SAW about unionising architecture, including overwork, underpay, unstable employment, toxic workplace culture, university culture, discrimination, ethical practice and collective action.

The conversation covers:

• Who UVW-SAW are and why they are organising in architecture
• How overwork, underpay and unstable employment affect the profession
• Why workplace and university culture are part of the same conversation
• How collective action connects to ethics, communities and the environment
• What workers in architecture may want to change

____

▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKKLOjGa17c

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/who-is-uvw-saw-and-why-are-they-collectively-fighting-to-unionize-architecture/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

____

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to UVW-SAW and unionising architecture
• 05:00 Why unionisation is being discussed in architecture
• 10:00 Overwork, underpay and unstable employment
• 15:00 Workplace culture, university culture and discrimination
• 20:00 Ethical practice, communities and the environment
• 25:00 Organising in workplaces and across the sector
• 30:00 Questions about collective action and representation
• 35:00 What workers in architecture are asking for
• 40:00 How industry culture could change
• 45:00 Final questions and where to find out more
• 50:00 Closing reflections on the profession