UK 

Architectural workers trade union becomes part of Unite

27 NOVEMBER 2023 ·BY WILL HURST




2/2 The United Voices of the World Union (UVW) with members of the new architectural branch Section of Architectural Workers (SAW)

The Section of Architectural Workers (SAW) trade union has affiliated to Unite, which has vowed to give ‘substantial legal and industrial support’ to architect members involved in disputes

SAW was set up in 2019 to combat what it described as the sector’s ‘toxic culture’ of overwork, underpay and discrimination. Until now, it has been a grassroots union run by and for its members as part of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union.

Now it has become a national branch of Unite, one of the UK's largest unions with 1.4 million members from 19 different sectors, including construction. Unite has vowed to help improve pay and conditions within the architecture sector.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Unite is extremely pleased to welcome members of the Section of Architectural Workers to our union family

‘As part of Unite, SAW’s members will be able to closely collaborate with the wider construction sector, access expert training and receive substantial legal and industrial support during disputes.

‘Unite looks forward to working with SAW’s indomitable organisers in helping growing numbers of architectural workers achieve improvement to their jobs, pay and conditions.’

Since its formation, SAW says it has co-ordinated members in taking industrial action to work from home during the pandemic and supported more than 150 members in winning settlements worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

It also successfully campaigned for Muyiwa Oki to become the first worker-representative to be elected president of the RIBA.

A SAW spokesperson said: ‘This is an incredibly exciting moment for SAW and the architectural labour movement generally. By affiliating to Unite, the UK’s leading union, architectural workers are now even better equipped to fight against the workplace mistreatment they so regularly face.

‘If you are not already a member of SAW, now is the time to join Unite, get organised and transform the sector from the bottom-up.’

Unite regional officer Declan Murphy said: ‘With the creation of the new architectural branch, Unite now represents workers across the entire construction industry. From the drawing board to putting shovels in the ground, from engineering to joinery, Unite is there standing up for all construction workers.’

UK Architectural Workers Organise to Open First Union Branch

27 November 2023

ARCHITECTURAL workers have organised to open the sector’s first ever branch in Unite, the UK’s construction union.

The Section of Architectural Workers (SAW), set up in 2019 as a grassroots union, has affiliated to Unite, forming a national branch earlier this month.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is extremely pleased to welcome members of SAW to our union family. As part of Unite, SAW’s members will be able to closely collaborate with the wider construction sector, access expert training and receive substantial legal and industrial support during disputes.

“Unite looks to forward to working with SAW’s indomitable organisers in helping a growing numbers of architectural workers achieve improvement to their jobs, pay and conditions.”

Since its inception, SAW has coordinated members in taking industrial action to work from home during the pandemic. It has also supported 150 members with individual casework resulting in settlements totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds.

SAW RIBA President

SAW successfully campaigned to elect Muyiwa Oki as the first worker-representative as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

A SAW spokesperson said: “This is an incredibly exciting moment for SAW and the architectural labour movement generally. By affiliating to Unite, the UK’s leading union, architectural workers are now even better equipped to fight against the workplace mistreatment they so regularly face.”

Unite Regional Officer Declan Murphy said: “With the creation of the new architectural branch, Unite now represents workers across the entire construction industry. From the drawing board to putting shovels in the ground, from engineering to joinery.”