Dec 12th 2023 marked a new stage in the game industry’s unionization battles.
It was the end of a 60-day waiting period, when the labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and Communication Workers of America (CWA) took effect at Activision Blizzard.
Dec 12th was also when the IGDA and CWA held a collaborative panel and workshop: “Worker Empowerment and Unionization in Games.”
While the panel addressed the industry-wide issue of unionization, the timing also sent a clear message. The combination of a turbulent history, a high-profile acquisition, and recent gains in the unionization effort at Microsoft makes Activision-Blizzard the tip of the spear in the game industry’s push toward labor unions.
A Background of Battles
The relationship between Activision Blizzard and CWA has long been contentious. The union has filed multiple National Labor Relations Board complaints against Activision Blizzard in 2022 and 2023, alleging a toxic work environment and retaliatory firings. Activision Blizzard has repeatedly dismissed these claims as false, and denied wrong-doing.
CWA has made it clear in their public statements that they view the neutrality agreement as a game-changer in the effort to unionize the games industry. And The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) call to action page has a clear message for all those involved: “Now is the time to join together at Microsoft/Activision Blizzard!”
The Existing Neutrality Agreement
Under the terms of that neutrality agreement, Microsoft has agreed to take a “neutral approach” to employee union organization. This means that workers interested in joining a union will be allowed to communicate with fellow employees and union representatives, and employees will be able to have a streamlined voting process on whether to join a union. In addition, employees will have the option of casting their votes confidentially. Any disputes between Microsoft and CWA will be resolved through neutral arbitration.
The effectiveness of the neutrality agreement was quickly confirmed. QA workers at Microsoft’s ZeniMax Studios unionized earlier this year, forming ZeniMax Workers United/CWA. Now that the neutrality agreement applies to Activision Blizzard employees, workers-rights advocates see an opportunity to reach those who have previously been hesitant to organize.
In a statement to Dinlas Gamer Network, IGDA Executive Director Dr. Jakin Vela expressed optimism, saying, “I believe Microsoft’s neutrality agreement is indicative of a cultural shift in industry perceptions of unionization, and their commitment to remain neutral in workers’ efforts to organize will establish a standard for other game companies.”
A Potential Turning Point
The “Worker Empowerment and Unionization in Games” panel was jointly moderated by the IGDA and CWA, and featured panelists representing ZeniMax Workers United (ZWU), SAG-AFTRA, and the French game workers’ union Le Syndicat des Travailleurs du Jeu Vidéo (STJV).
The one-hour panel covered a range of topics, including
- What unionization means
- Targets of reform, such as gender disparity and crunch
- Ways to address AI during union negotiations
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Unionization and collective action options for contractors
- Organizational transparency
While the panelists didn’t shy away from prior disputes with management, the focus was on education and outreach to the wider industry. Much of the conversation stressed the importance of consistency and transparency, no matter where in the game industry that organizing is taking place. That message of consistency was underscored by an IGDA when asked about the panel’s reception.
“The large attendance indicates a need for more engagement in this area,” says Dr. Vela. “We plan to continue providing our community with educational resources to inform them about important industry topics.”
A replay of the panel is available on YouTube.
