Historically, there have been attempts to organize architects, and, indeed,
some large offices in big cities were (are?) unionized. And, of course,
architects working for public agencies are unionized as public service
sector employees (in some places). Unionization seems to be the most
effective route, in the long run, for protecting young architects from
employee exploitation. Unfortunately, unions have been in decline for many
reasons, and it seems anachronistic to even talk about them. A
good beginning would be to think of ourselves as *labor* like performing
arts people (theater, music) have for years.This is particularly important
in difficult economic times (like current times) when jobs are scarce, pay
is low, etc. There are lots of lessons to be learned from the 1930s.
some large offices in big cities were (are?) unionized. And, of course,
architects working for public agencies are unionized as public service
sector employees (in some places). Unionization seems to be the most
effective route, in the long run, for protecting young architects from
employee exploitation. Unfortunately, unions have been in decline for many
reasons, and it seems anachronistic to even talk about them. A
good beginning would be to think of ourselves as *labor* like performing
arts people (theater, music) have for years.This is particularly important
in difficult economic times (like current times) when jobs are scarce, pay
is low, etc. There are lots of lessons to be learned from the 1930s.