Architects protest over jobs threat

Members of Unite’s Section of Architectural Workers (SAW) drew support from fellow Unite members at a noisy demonstration in the City of London today (3 Feb).

The members were protesting outside the offices of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) architects about threats to slash its UK workforce by half with mass redundancies , along with the refusal to recognise the union and hold meaningful consultation.

Bjarke Ingels Group may like to boast about their spectacular and eye-catching designs, but the way they are treating their workforce is just shabby and cheap.

The employer had made redundancy plans despite luring workers, many from overseas, into joining the company to work on a new contract in Saudi Arabia. This has since fallen through, with workers expected to pay the price.

The firm announced that around 140 jobs would be at risk in December, and is trying to force through mass redundancies on minimal and vindictive terms and is refusing to take part in meaningful consultations or meet with Unite. 

In addition, it is trying to intimidate workers into not engaging with their union – even though Unite represents over 80 workers at the site. Unite believes BIG’s actions are breaking employment law.

On the street outside BIG workers facing redundancy were joined by fellow architects from other firms, along with members of Haringey and Barnet Unite Community and Unite Housing Workers.

Unite regional officer Declan Murphy said, “Bjarke Ingels Group is a hugely profitable Danish ‘starchitecture’ firm who enticed workers over after winning a contract with a shady client that, unsurprisingly, fell through.

“They took a reckless gamble and have played fast and loose with our member’s lives and careers, viewing them as commodities rather than people. 

“Now they are denying Unite a presence at redundancy meetings, meetings which are not meaningful, open or transparent, and repeatedly showing a complete disregard for our members.”

Unite reps put forward a workable solution to the company after surveying members and finding that enough would take voluntary redundancy if severance pay was set at a more reasonable level. 

However the company responded by withdrawing the option for voluntary redundancy entirely and slashed redundancy pay to just 1.5 months.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “BIG’s behaviour towards its staff is nothing sort of disgusting. It is trying to rip workers off to protect profits after luring many of them from overseas with promises of secure work.

“The redundancy process has been marred by critical failures to follow basic employment procedures and attempts at union-busting that are trashing BIG’s reputation. Unite will publicly hold BIG to account until these workers receive fair and decent treatment.”

The solution proposed by Unite’s reps to settle the redundancies fairly is just a fraction of the £7.5 million the hugely profitable Danish architectural firm paid to shareholders last year.

Workers at the firm were understandably reluctant to give their names, but one BIG worker said: “We’ve been told ‘we’re all victims of the same circumstances’ but partners and associates had their pay protected and also refused to take any cuts, while a third of us face redundancy. They’re not consulting, they’re forcing this through.”

A fellow BIG worker added: “Employees’ lives and their financial situation are being dismissed by management. The office mass hired during the last year, presenting themselves as a stable business, but in reality, there was no risk plan in place. People moved from their countries with their families, with the financial strain that this implies, and a few months after find themselves with no alternatives.”

SAW Branch Officer Joe Elbourn works for a different firm, and joined colleagues in solidarity. Joe said, “Members of Unite in more traditional unionised industries might be surprised to find out that architects are paid pretty badly, and there is a culture of fire and rehire.

“We want meaningful consultation, we want engagement. The employee representatives were elected by the workforce, and the, over 80, members of Unite at this company asked for our involvement. But we have been ignored – so we have had to come out today.”

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Mark Thomas