Yet another group of Activision-Blizzard workers under Microsoft have voted to unionize: a reported 600 Activision central QA workers in Texas, Minnesota, and California have unionized under the CWA banner, specifically as Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA. Microsoft has voluntarily recognized the union, and now the sides move on to contract negotiation.
Before the Microsoft buyout, Activision executives were notorious for blatantly obstructing unionization efforts to the point that union organizers pursued them in court, but Microsoft has long cooperated with union efforts via neutrality agreements, which is why Microsoft studios like Elder Scrolls Online’s ZeniMax Online Studios already have unions. In fact, the ZeniMax union reportedly helped protect workers from the mass layoffs earlier this year, and CWA says that “ZeniMax workers are currently negotiating their first contract and have reached groundbreaking agreements on subcontracting and artificial intelligence.” Over 800 Activision-Blizzard workers will officially be laid off this month following that layoff announcement in February; another 1100 will be cut from other Microsoft teams.
“We maintained our commitment to remain neutral during the organizing campaign, and following this vote, we recognize the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as the bargaining representative for the Activision Publishing Central Quality Assurance employees,” says Microsoft VP Amy Pannoni in CWA’s PR. “We look forward to continuing our positive labor management relationship.”
When ZeniMax QA formed its union a year ago, it was the largest games industry union in the country. Now, Activision QA takes that title.
