The architecture world just got its second union
This week, the labor movement in architecture scored a win. Sage & Coombe Architects , a women-led firm based in New York City, unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement. It’s the second American practice to ratify a contract, after Bernheimer Architecture in 2024. “This contract, the second in the industry, sets a standard for workers at Sage and Coombe and beyond,” Architectural Workers United (AWU), a group that has been helping firms organize, announced on April 1 via Instagram . The agreement’s details have yet to be made public. The milestone marks a significant move in the design industry’s unionizing efforts, especially after high-profile setbacks. In 2022, the New York-based firm SHoP abandoned its unionizing efforts following what AWU called a “powerful anti-union campaign.” Then in 2023, the American arm of the multidisciplinary design firm Snøhetta voted against unionizing. In January, the National Labor Relations Board filed a formal complaint against Snøhetta , alleging the firm illegally dismissed eight employees in relation to organizing. Architecture—a field known for long hours and low pay—has historically been difficult to unionize in the United States. “It’s oddly different than other industry,” Andrew Daley, a staff organizer at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, told Fast Company back in 2023. “There’s literally no proliferation of unions in any way, shape, or form. Like, zero density when we started.” Sage & Coombe’s contract comes after three years of unionizing efforts. In 2023, employees at the firm formed a union , which the office’s
This week, the labor movement in architecture celebrated a significant victory as Sage & Coombe Architects, a women-led firm based in New York City, unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement. This marks the second American architectural practice to ratify a contract, following Bernheimer Architecture in 2024. Architectural Workers United (AWU), an organization that has been instrumental in helping firms organize, announced the news on April 1st via Instagram. The details of the agreement remain undisclosed, but it is expected to set a precedent for workers at Sage & Coombe and beyond.
The milestone is particularly notable given the challenges faced by the design industry in unionizing efforts. In 2022, the New York-based firm SHoP abandoned its unionizing efforts after what AWU described as a "powerful anti-union campaign." The following year, the American arm of the multidisciplinary design firm Snøhetta voted against unionizing. In January, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a formal complaint against Snøhetta, alleging that the firm illegally dismissed eight employees in relation to organizing.
Architecture, a field known for long hours and low pay, has historically been difficult to unionize in the United States. Andrew Daley, a staff organizer at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, told Fast Company in 2023 that the industry is "oddly different than others." He noted, "There’s literally no proliferation of unions in any way, shape, or form. Like, zero density when we started."
Sage & Coombe's contract comes after three years of persistent unionizing efforts. In 2023, employees at the firm formed a union, which the office's managerial team voluntarily recognized. "We are pleased to announce that we have signed a collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers," Sage & Coombe stated in an Instagram post. "We respect the efforts of our colleagues and look forward to working together to ensure a fair and equitable workplace for all."
The approval of Sage & Coombe's agreement represents a turning point in the industry's labor history. It demonstrates that architectural firms are willing to engage in collective bargaining to address workers' concerns, such as fair compensation, reasonable working hours, and job security. This development may encourage other firms to follow suit, paving the way for a more unionized future in the design industry.
The success of Sage & Coombe's unionization effort also highlights the critical role of organizations like AWU in supporting architectural firms and their employees. AWU's efforts to promote unionization have been pivotal in challenging the status quo and advocating for better working conditions in the field.
Despite the recent victory, the road to full unionization in architecture remains challenging. The industry's unique characteristics, such as its reliance on freelance and independent contractor models, continue to pose significant obstacles. However, the ratification of Sage & Coombe's agreement offers hope that change is possible and that the labor movement in architecture can continue to make progress.
In conclusion, the unanimous approval of Sage & Coombe Architects' collective bargaining agreement represents a landmark moment in the labor movement for architects in the United States. It not only marks the second American practice to ratify a contract but also signals a broader shift toward unionization in a historically resistant industry. While challenges remain, this milestone serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collective action and the potential for positive change in the workplace.
