A quick update from the UK Branch of Wiki Workers United on developments since our voluntary union recognition request was filed last month.

As noted in the previous update, on Wednesday 24th June UTAW-CWU sent a letter to the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) and Safeguard Global (the WMF’s Employer of Record in the UK) requesting recognition of a bargaining unit that would represent all the WMF’s UK staff. They had 10 working days to respond and choose one of three standard options. Either to: voluntarily recognise this bargaining unit/union; reject recognition; or request negotiations.

On 7 July, UTAW-CWU were notified that Safeguard and the WMF had chosen the third option, and as such, we are now entering negotiations with mediation from ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) – a UK government body that assists with such matters. These negotiations aim to reach an agreement on the proposed bargaining unit, and will proceed over the next few weeks in accordance with standard practice. If voluntary recognition is not reached during these negotiations, we may then file for statutory recognition via CAC (the Central Arbitration Committee) – as the application requirements are already met.

We want to repeat our thanks to the volunteer community for your support. WMF staff will be attending Wikimania in Paris next week in person, including from the WWU UK Branch. Of note, there is a workers’ union meetup on Friday. If you are also attending, come and say hello. We have stickers and badges to share!

-- WWU-UK Branch July 17, 2026