Blizzard Workers Win Historic Union Contract That Could Set A New Standard For Game Developers
Overview & Key Takeaways
A group of 1,900 employees at Blizzard Entertainment has successfully signed a union contract with Microsoft, securing several guarantees for members. Represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the contract has given the Blizzard workers more workplace flexibility and guaranteed wage increases, but several other industry-first agreements could make this a blueprint for other video game unions to follow.
One of the big wins for the Blizzard union is artificial intelligence guardrails, as the contract stipulates that Microsoft cannot use AI to automate or replace jobs without first talking to the union. Another big win are the job-recall rights for employees, because if they're laid off, Blizzard must offer them an open role within 14 months and inside the union's network before hiring someone from outside. Laid-off union members will also get an additional four weeks of pay--regardless of how long they worked at the company--hybrid schedules that allow them to work from home, and formal systems to settle disputes within the workplace.
"It's a new day at Blizzard, where greater power for workers is translating into more innovative games for players," CWA president Claude Cummings, Jr. said to Game Developer. "I am so proud of CWA bargaining teams, taking on tough fights and winning strong contracts that set new standards for working people across our industries."
In an interview with Aftermath, Blizzard workers spoke about how the negotiating process with Microsoft dragged on. As one Blizzard employee explained, Microsoft eventually agreed to ratify the union contract after it was convinced that it would be mutually beneficial. Union leaders and members mobilizing outside of Blizzard headquarters to protest also helped seal the deal on the contract.
These protections come at a time when Microsoft has been called out for mass layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, which started with 1,600 retrenchments and will see another 1,600 people let go throughout the year. It's not the first time rolling layoffs have hit Xbox either, as thousands of jobs have been cut since the company finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The gaming industry has also historically had very few unions, leaving workers with very little say during these dark times.
Things might be slowly changing, as unions steadily gain more power in the industry. Across the pond, a group of former Grand Theft Auto 6 developers who accused Rockstar Games of union-busting are preparing for a legal battle against the developer. A hearing at the Glasgow Tribunals Centre will begin on September 10 and could run until October 15, while the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain will hold a rally to support the staff it also represents.
A group of 1,900 employees at Blizzard Entertainment has successfully signed a union contract with Microsoft, securing several guarantees for members. Represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the contract has given the Blizzard workers more workplace flexibility and guaranteed wage increases, but several other industry-first agreements could make this a blueprint for other video game unions to follow.
One of the big wins for the Blizzard union is artificial intelligence guardrails, as the contract stipulates that Microsoft cannot use AI to automate or replace jobs without first talking to the union. Another big win are the job-recall rights for employees, because if they’re laid off, Blizzard must offer them an open role within 14 months and inside the union’s network before hiring someone from outside. Laid-off union members will also get an additional four weeks of pay–regardless of how long they worked at the company–hybrid schedules that allow them to work from home, and formal systems to settle disputes within the workplace.
“It’s a new day at Blizzard, where greater power for workers is translating into more innovative games for players,” CWA president Claude Cummings, Jr. said to Game Developer. “I am so proud of CWA bargaining teams, taking on tough fights and winning strong contracts that set new standards for working people across our industries.”
In an interview with Aftermath, Blizzard workers spoke about how the negotiating process with Microsoft dragged on. As one Blizzard employee explained, Microsoft eventually agreed to ratify the union contract after it was convinced that it would be mutually beneficial. Union leaders and members mobilizing outside of Blizzard headquarters to protest also helped seal the deal on the contract.
These protections come at a time when Microsoft has been called out for mass layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, which started with 1,600 retrenchments and will see another 1,600 people let go throughout the year. It’s not the first time rolling layoffs have hit Xbox either, as thousands of jobs have been cut since the company finalized its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The gaming industry has also historically had very few unions, leaving workers with very little say during these dark times.
Things might be slowly changing, as unions steadily gain more power in the industry. Across the pond, a group of former Grand Theft Auto 6 developers who accused Rockstar Games of union-busting are preparing for a legal battle against the developer. A hearing at the Glasgow Tribunals Centre will begin on September 10 and could run until October 15, while the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain will hold a rally to support the staff it also represents.
