The landscape of video game industry workers in the United States is changing with the recent formation of a union at Activision Publishing’s quality assurance department. This move, led by around 600 workers and assisted by the Communications Workers of America, marks a significant step in the push for labor protections in the gaming sector. The Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA union now stands as the largest video game union in the country, following in the footsteps of other unions that have emerged from Microsoft’s gaming division.
Microsoft’s labor neutrality agreement with the CWA in 2022 paved the way for the unionization efforts at Activision Blizzard. This agreement, along with Microsoft’s acquisition of the company, created a favorable environment for the workers to organize. Tom Shelley, one of the organizers of Activision Quality Assurance United, highlighted the challenges faced by quality assurance workers, emphasizing the need for stronger protections and fair wages in the industry.
Quality assurance workers play a crucial role in the video game development process by testing games for bugs and issues before release. Despite their integral contribution to the success of gaming companies, QA jobs are often undervalued and offer low pay. The formation of a union at Activision Publishing’s quality assurance department signals a shift towards recognizing the importance of these workers and advocating for their rights in the industry.
While video game labor unions are gaining momentum, they continue to face obstacles such as layoffs and job insecurity. The CWA’s filing of an unfair labor complaint against Sega in 2023 shed light on the challenges of protecting temporary employees who are part of the company’s union. However, union negotiations were able to save a number of jobs during the layoffs, showing the potential impact of organized labor in the gaming industry.
The formation of the Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA union represents a significant milestone in the push for labor protections and fair treatment of video game industry workers in the United States. As more unions emerge and advocate for the rights of workers, the gaming industry may see positive changes in the treatment and recognition of its labor force.
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