The number of unionized workers for Microsoft’s video game subsidiaries continues to grow, and the latest group to join the pool is the largest yet. Activision has approximately 600 quality assurance employees Joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), making them the largest certified association in the US video game industry. They are also the first Activision employees to organize under contract Between Microsoft and the CWA. If you recall, Microsoft agreed to respect Activision Blizzard workers’ right to unionize as part of its efforts to secure regulatory approval for its $68.7 billion takeover of the video game developer.
CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. said Microsoft is keeping its promise to let workers decide whether they want to unionize. Part of Microsoft’s promise when it agreed to contract with the CWA was to be neutral during the union campaign, and the company said it would not interfere or influence people’s voices.
Another element of their agreement was to give workers access to an “innovative technology-supported and streamlined process for choosing whether or not to join a union,” which includes not having to go to the National Labor Relations Board for election. In this case, workers only had to sign a union card or vote online. according to The New York Times, 390 workers voted in favor of the creation of a trade union, and 8 voted against it. Another 200 people did not vote.
In early 2023, Microsoft too recognized the union 300 employees for Zenimax, owned by Bethesda and one of the company’s video game subsidiaries, the largest for the video game industry at the time. Those workers also joined a union under a simpler process made possible by the company’s agreement with the CWA. By the end of the year, Microsoft agreed to hire The 77 temporary QA contractors, like the full-time unionized Zenimax workers, were a positive win for workers in an industry facing layoffs.
