Earlier this summer, Snøhetta was accused of unfair labor practices amid allegations of outside tampering during an unsuccessful union push at the firm.
On the afternoon of August 29, a charge on behalf of the Architectural Workers United (AWU) was filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Snøhetta of unlawfully discriminating against employees over their support for the failed unionization campaign.
“We trust that the National Labor Relations Board, upon hearing the evidence, will rule accordingly and in favor of the workers,” said David Sullivan (Machinists Union, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice) in a press release. “Today’s filing sends a message to the architecture industry that they are no different from any other industry and that if employers use illegal tactics to obstruct their employees from organizing, they will be held accountable.”
The AUW announced the news on Tuesday via Instagram. The NLRB will now investigate its claims. The firm is known to have retained anti-union law firm Stinson LLP to help deter the unionization drive this spring. It is unclear what activities, if any, Stinson LLP may have engaged in.
The charge claims Snøhetta discriminated against several unnamed employees over their positions. However, it does not elaborate further on the tenets of that claim or provide documentation of any possible retaliation or any other wrongdoing in response to the effort. (Per our July 7th reporting, the final voting count was 35-29 in opposition to the union, with Snøhetta's San Francisco office providing the last deciding ballots in a dramatic eleventh-hour development.)
The firm has not publically commented on the charges. A potential settlement could follow. Archinect will share any more updates from AWU as they are made available.
Follow our previous reporting of Snøhetta's unionization efforts below.
9 Comments
would love to see a penalty here.. shop got lucky.
Interesting that they have a page dedicated to foreign workers - the weakest link in the labor front. In Snohetta's case, didn't a lot of their visa-holders abstain from voting? There's a steady geyser of new Asian ivy grads waiting to take the place of anyone who'd leave a firm that's still very popular among students.
This is unfortunate. They need to talk to the employees. Most of them strongly hated unionizing, hence the result of the vote. A lot that works there feels they have a better working environment than the wider industry. However, the folks for it wanted Sno to “set an example.” This was less about unionizing for better working benefits, etc, but rather virtual signaling. Also, A lot were afraid this will divide the firm. Well here it is. UAW is literally ruining peoples lives and it’s sad that a lot don’t see this. The best “unionizing” is to quit and work for a firm that represents your values.
I do concur that workers at starchitect firms tend to be a self-selecting group: They usually come from the same schools and aim to circulate within the acronyms until they either get pushed out in middle age if promotions don't happen on time, start their own practice, or cycle to the corporate acronyms if financial concerns become apparent. This is all to say that a 'typical' Snohetta employee is likely quite happy to be there, having fought tooth and nail to land that coveted spot - and all the toil it brings. Snohetta is a bit unique in that it has always branded its friendly Scandinavian culture - which would lead one to believe that their labor practices mirror that of that region.
Most? What. A. Fucking. Joke.
Stopppppppppp lying.
The premises of your argument are based on data taken from a vote that was skewed with union busting techniques and are not accurate in all likelihood.
Therefore your conclusions are in all likelihood inaccurate as well.
how's that boot taste?
"strongly hated unionizing" - that's rich. care to provide any data or facts of any kind?
in the meantime, here's a little literature for you:
Treasury confirms labor unions are good for the economy
another fun fact (because i don't operate through fabrications): unionization is very popular in the U.S... find another issue that 67% of Americans agree on.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/5...
but of course the extra-special fancy firms would never join the consensus...
Add it to the list. No wonder they are scared.
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