Bethsoft has one union, yes. What about *second* union? In fact, this is more like third union, and we’re not sorry to see it.
Readers will recall that QA workers at Microsoft-owned ZeniMax – which encompasses Bethsoft/Fallout 76 as well as ZeniMax Online Studios/Elder Scrolls Online – began unionization efforts all the way back in 2022, ultimately forming what was then the largest games union in the USÂ in 2023 (it was surpassed only this year by Microsoft’s other acquisition, Activision-Blizzard). But that was QA; earlier this year, a “wall to wall” union of Bethsoft workers also combined forces in an officially recognized union that expanded to include artists, engineers, programmers, and designers, all as Microsoft continued to fumble around, conduct mass layoffs admit huge stock buybacks, and shift blame while accepting no actual responsibility.
Well, now ZeniMax Online Studios has done the same thing, organizing into a what Communications Workers of America says is a union backed by an “overwhelming majority of video game workers” at the Elder Scrolls Online studio.
“In accordance with its stated labor principles, Microsoft has recognized the union, signaling a significant victory for workers’ rights in the industry,” CWA says. “While a majority of workers are based in Maryland, workers are located all across the country, including California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. With 461 members, ZOS United-CWA will include web developers, designers, engineers, and graphic artists.”
Oh, and ESO fans will love this one. Remember how ESO’s tagline is “You belong here“? Well, one ZOS artist echoed that in the PR: “At ZeniMax, unions belong here.”
CWA says over 6000 workers in North America have organized under the CODE-CWA banner in the last five years.
