Microsoft Allows Activision Blizzard Employees to Form Union, Over 600 Apply to Join
In a groundbreaking move, Microsoft has allowed Activision Blizzard employees to form a union as part of the agreement to acquire the popular gaming company. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has confirmed that approximately 600 Activision Blizzard employees have applied to join the union.
The CWA, a union composed of workers in domestic telecommunications, media, and various other fields, has now become the largest union in the video game industry in the United States. This comes after Microsoft also agreed to allow about 300 employees of Bethesda and its parent company Zenimax to form a union last year, making it the largest union in the video game industry at the time.
The agreement to allow Activision Blizzard employees to join the union is not only a part of Microsoft’s commitment when acquiring the company, but it also simplifies the process for employees to join. This includes signing an authorization card or voting online, with Microsoft pledging not to interfere with or affect workers’ willingness to join a union.
This move marks a significant shift in the video game industry and could potentially lead to more unions forming within the sector. It also signals a growing trend of workers in the industry advocating for better working conditions and fair treatment. The future of unionization in the video game industry remains to be seen, but for now, Activision Blizzard employees are taking a step towards creating a more equitable workplace.