Architectural workers in Portugal have announced the formation of a new labor union following months of debate and deliberation. 

The group known as Movimento dos Trabalhadores em Arquitectura (MTA) is saying they have adopted a constitution and bylaws following its declaration of intent to organize a union, which they made on May 1st, 2021 — International Workers’ Day — at the Casa Sindical de Campanhã in Porto. The new union will go by the name SINTARQ (short for “Sindicato dos Trabalhadores em Arquitectura”) and be steered by a temporary committee until national elections can be held at a later date and time. 

Portugal, which may soon adopt a four-day work week, has a total of 28,000 trained architects by last count, up a dramatic 115% from the 13,000 that were recorded by the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) in 2010. Wages in the country, which has traditionally been one of the EU’s poorest, have risen a mere 10% since 2015, a fact that is exacerbated by its recent struggles with inflation. This is likely reflected in the architectural field, where workers earn an average of 12,000 to around 14,000 Euros per year (approximately $14,300), according to the inquiry produced by MTA as well as the Architects Council of Europe's in-depth study, The Architectural Profession in Europe 2020.

“MTA is committed to build the Union as the movement itself was built: from the base, with joint reflection, broad participation, and determined collective action,” the group’s statement closed, referencing the yearslong process that led to its inception. More information, including podcasts, can be found by following a link to the group’s website (which is in Portuguese) here.

Editor's Note: The average annual salary has been updated, along with its data sources, to more accurately reflect Portugal's income situation.