These are the most frequently asked questions about the upcoming ballot for union recognition. Add your own questions using the form below.

What are we voting for?

For Apple to recognise our union, UTAW-CWU, for the purposes of collective bargaining over contractual terms, including pay, working hours and holiday.

What happens if we vote YES?

We have the chance to negotiate improvements to our terms, collectively, for the first time. We’ll also get to elect union reps from our team.

What happens if we vote NO?

Nothing changes; Apple continue to set pay and terms based on business needs. If we vote no, we are locked out of collective bargaining for the next three years.

What’s UTAW-CWU?

UTAW is a national trade union branch established and run by workers at tech companies, including Apple Retail workers. It’s part of the larger Communication Workers Union. A large proportion of the employees at Grand Arcade are already UTAW-CWU members, and we have members in Apple Stores all over the UK. Apple employees are some of the longest standing members of our union, and Apple Retail workers sit on our committee. Union membership gives workers the ability to negotiate for improvements at work and a truly independent voice. Unions are democratic and run by members, so every member has a say in how they run, and we’re completely independent from the companies we work for, allowing us to campaign for things that Apple may not approve of on its own, like better pay and working conditions.

Why Grand Arcade?

Union members at stores all over the country are working towards union recognition. Cambridge is balloting now because rents have spiralled, living costs are out of control and wages haven’t kept up. Cambridge is an expensive place to live and work and many of our members at the store have to commute long distances for affordability. Grand Arcade has an incredible team that’s shown the strength and support between workers, ready to stick up for each other to demand better. Members in the store have spent months learning and training to run a grassroots member-led campaign to win.

What will our elected union reps do?

Reps receive comprehensive training from our union to support members. Reps can accompany you to disciplinary, grievance, flexible working, appeals and other formal meetings and support you through those difficult processes. Reps can help identify issues that affect workers, and can work with other reps to resolve them. Reps also attend collective bargaining meetings alongside experienced negotiators to try and boost our pay and conditions.

What if we vote YES, go through collective bargaining and are unhappy with the new deal negotiated?

Members can then vote to reject it and go back to the negotiating table. The process is democratic and everyone is encouraged to take part. No changes happen without the approval of the majority of members.

Will we lose access to the ERT?

No. The ERT acts as a forum for Apple to consult with staff about new initiatives at work, community events, volunteering, team experience and more. The ERT is important to our members and having a union doesn’t replace it. The ERT, however, doesn’t get to negotiate over substantial changes like pay and contractual terms. With a union we have the power to influence changes in a legally protected process.

Will we lose out on pay and benefits with a union?

No, instead we’ll have a legally protected process to try and collectively bargain for improvements. Many of our colleagues all over the world already benefit from having unions. In some countries they have paid-for lunches every day, additional options for taking leave, increases to base pay, annual bonuses, input into pay structures and wage distribution, and premium pay for antisocial hours, public holidays and working on weekends. All without losing out on existing pay and benefits. All of these examples illustrate what’s possible through collective bargaining. Nothing is guaranteed, but if we win, we unlock the ability to try.