In a significant development for the video game industry, staff within Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology department have successfully voted to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This move marks another victory for game workers seeking collective bargaining power and improved working conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology workers have officially joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
- The union represents a diverse group of essential employees, including software engineers, project and product managers, and graphic designers.
- Workers involved are crucial to the operation of Battle.net, Blizzard’s online platform, as well as localization, quality assurance, and customer support.
- The union aims to enhance accountability, retain talent, and ensure a stable environment for creating gaming experiences.
Union Representation and Roles
The newly formed union is comprised of employees in critical roles within Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology division. These members are now represented by CWA locals 9510 and 6215. Their responsibilities are vital to the company’s operations, encompassing software engineering, project and product management, and graphic design for Battle.net, the central hub for all of Blizzard’s online products and services. Additionally, the bargaining unit includes workers involved in localization efforts, quality assurance testing, and customer support for various company products.
Motivation for Unionization
Employees cited concerns over talent retention and workplace stability as primary drivers for unionizing. Daniel Weltz, an organizing committee member and Principal Software Engineer with nearly two decades at Blizzard, expressed the sentiment of many. "I’ve been at Blizzard for nearly 20 years, and I’ve seen so many incredible colleagues in the industry come and go for preventable reasons—either for better compensation or as a result of layoffs. Our culture is our people, and we can’t afford to lose that," Weltz stated in a press release. The union’s formation is intended to foster greater accountability from leadership and create an environment where employees can concentrate on developing high-quality gaming experiences for the community.
Sources
- Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Activision Blizzard’s Platform and Technology Workers Join CWA, AFL-CIO.
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