Employees at Bethesda Game Studios have joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), saying they are the first Microsoft video game studio to form a wall-to-wall union. A total of 241 workers either signed the authorization form or expressed their desire to join the union through the online portal. The “wall-to-wall” nature of their organization means that CWA will represent workers across job descriptions and departments, including artists, engineers, programmers and designers, and not just one type. Bethesda is the developer behind it Starfield and The Elder Scrolls and Fallout games.
Microsoft has already recognized the union, so employees in the studio’s Maryland office have officially joined CWA Locals 2108, while those in the Texas office have become members of CWA Locals 6215. “We are very excited to announce our partnership and join Bethesda Game Studio. This move is sweeping the video game industry,” said Mandi Parker, Senior Systems Designer, Bethesda. “It’s clear that every employee can benefit from bringing democracy to the workplace and ensuring a protected voice at work. We are happy to reach unprecedented goals and win a fair deal, proving that our union is a real source of strength. to positively shape our working conditions, our lives and the company as a whole.”
Bethesda workers are joining a growing number of unions in video games. In January 2023, quality assurance staff at ZeniMax Studios, Bethesda’s parent company, merged Creating what was then the industry’s largest union with 300 members. When Microsoft-owned Activision had 600 quality assurance employees, it stood out as the largest union in video games. Joined the CWA this year.
