I’ve been retired for some time, but this topic has always held some degree of intrigue for me. I spent 80% of my career working in a large, design-build firm that used union construction workers on all of our projects. Yet we had no unions on the engineering side. It was discussed and batted around by the employees, but we never seemed inclined to move in that direction. Probably because we were fairly compensated with good benefits and significant promotion opportunities that may have been stifled by union membership. Many of the professionals who joined the firm when I did moved quickly into management as the firm grew and prospered during the 80’s and early 90’s. Those advancements may not have been that rapid had the shop been unionized. It would have been more complicated, for sure. Today, the work environment is far different than when I was coming up in the profession. The staffing is different, the opportunities and career paths are different. I’m sure the perspectives of today’s young professionals are very different than when I was starting out. I’m still of the opinion that, in an environment that encourages growth into professional management and associate/partnership opportunities, union affiliation may create road blocks to advancement.
Sent from my iPad
Original Message:
Sent: 10/24/2022 7:45:00 PM
From: Scott D. Knudson AIA
Subject: Unions?
I know there are some who have promoted this for the entire 30+ years I have been an architect - and many who opposed. It certainly seems that nationally (beyond architecture) we are at a pro-union pivot point. What are your thoughts on the pros, cons, and future direction? Does anyone have insight into the particulars of what made this smallish firm the right time and place for this inflection point? Does unionization in your view in any way inhibit internal advancement or firm ownership transition by setting up an us-them dynamic?
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Scott Knudson AIA
Knu Design, LLC
Boyds MD
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