Around 600 workers in Activision Publishing’s quality assurance department have made a significant move by forming a union. This new union, known as Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA, is the largest video game union in the United States. The employees were assisted in this endeavor by the Communications Workers of America, and the results of their vote were officially certified on Friday, March 8th.
In 2022, Microsoft entered into a labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, which has played a crucial role in facilitating the unionization process at various subsidiaries, including Activision Blizzard. Tom Shelley, a technical requirements specialist and one of the key organizers of Activision Quality Assurance United, expressed that the labor neutrality agreement and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year were instrumental in achieving their goals of unionizing. According to Shelley, the merger provided them with the opportunity to freely organize and pursue their objectives.
Workers in quality assurance play a pivotal role in the gaming industry by testing games for bugs and issues, thereby ensuring the overall quality of the final product. However, despite the importance of their work, QA jobs are often considered entry-level positions and receive lower pay with weaker protections compared to other roles in the industry. This disparity highlights the necessity of labor protections for QA workers and underscores the significance of forming unions for advocating their rights.
The rise of video game labor unions, exemplified by Activision Quality Assurance United, signifies a growing trend within the gaming industry. Microsoft’s voluntary recognition of the union at ZeniMax online, Blizzard Albany, and Raven Software demonstrates a positive step towards acknowledging the rights and demands of QA workers. However, video game labor unions have encountered obstacles, such as layoffs and unfair labor practices. The Communication Workers of America filed an unfair labor complaint against Sega in 2023, alleging that the company intended to phase out temporary employees who were part of the Aegis union formed the previous year. Despite these challenges, union negotiations managed to salvage some jobs during the layoffs at Sega.
The formation of Activision Quality Assurance United and the growing momentum of video game labor unions signal a shift towards advocating for the rights and fair treatment of workers in the gaming industry. As more unions emerge and gain recognition, there is hope for improved labor conditions and protections for QA workers and other employees within the gaming sector. The collaborative efforts between workers, unions, and companies like Microsoft are paving the way for a more equitable and supportive environment in the world of video game development.
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