Former RIBA president backs union in BIG redundancy dispute as architects picket firm’s London office

The former president of the RIBA has backed union members in dispute with Bjarke Ingels Group over proposed redundancies.

In a statement, Angela Brady urged the practice’s management to “listen to the advice of the union, for a fair and reasonable outcome”.

Members of the Section of Architectural Workers (SAW), a trade union which is affiliated with Unite the Union, have been in a dispute with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) since the end of last year, when the practice announced a round of redundancies after the loss of a major contract.

BIG, which is working on Google’s new headquarters at King’s Cross and was working on a scheme at 120 Fleet Street that has been stalled for several years, confirmed that an unnamed “major project” employing roughly half its London office was cancelled at the end of November “due to circumstances beyond our control”.

It added that “unexpected project changes are an inherent challenge in professional service firms, even with the most robust risk management and contractual processes”. 

The practice refused to identify the scheme in question but is understood to be a job in Saudi Arabia.

The union claims that roughly 140 staff have been told they are “at risk” of redundancy and that BIG is looking to cut just over 70 jobs in an “optimistic” scenario. However, these figures have yet to be confirmed by the company.

BIG’s latest company accounts, for 2024, put average staff numbers at 162, however Building’s sister title Building Design understands the figure is currently just over 200.

Unite the Union claims requests by workplace reps to involve experienced union representatives in negotiations over the redundancy process have been rejected by management.

BIG did not comment on this specific accusation but a spokesperson said it had “acted in good faith throughout and with the intention of minimising job losses wherever possible” and denied that it had “sought to intimidate employees or undermine lawful union activity”. 

Brady, who led RIBA for two years from 2011, said: “It would appear that there is adequate work within this successful profit making office to accommodate these architectural workers.

“Good communication between management and staff, represented by the Workers Union, is essential to resolve issues before they escalate.

“I believe that all RIBA Chartered Practices should respect their staff, their work-life balance and mental health, particularly in relation to the ‘hire and fire culture’ that threatens our profession, along with the unacceptable long hours culture that some practices thrive on.”

She said it would be “advisable” for BIG’s management team to “listen to the advice of the union, for a fair and reasonable outcome.

“Otherwise, I fully support any proposed demonstrations that will bring it to everyone’s attention,” she added.

Brady’s intervention came after an almost unprecedented day of a protest by architects belonging to SAW-Unite outside BIG’s London office in the City of London yesterday, demanding union recognition, a six-month voluntary redundancy package offered to all workers and the waiving of all repayment fees relating to visas and training.

BIG said it was “unfortunately not in a position to meet” the demand of six months pay for redundant staff but said its leadership team was “committed to the continuous dialogue with those affected in a thoughtful and constructive manner, in full accordance with UK guidelines and due process”.

It added: “Since November, and now more than two months later, all employees have remained in employment and continue to be paid in full while we work through a formal and lawful consultation process.”