Raven QA Employees Form Activision Blizzard's First Union [Update]
“We formed the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) because my colleagues and I want to have our voices heard"
The story has been updated with a response from Activision Blizzard. Read the full statement from the company below.
A group of Raven Software QA employees have become the first Activision Blizzard workers to form a union by launching the Game Workers Alliance with Communications Workers of America.
As per a press release, Quality Assurance workers at Raven Software have announced that they are launching the Game Workers Alliance (CWA), a union that marks the first of its kind at Activision Blizzard. Members at the department have requested voluntary recognition from Activision Blizzard management in alignment with the desire of a supermajority of their workforce.
The launch of the union comes after workers in the department (as well as other current staff and former employees at the company) entered their fifth week of strike action in solidarity with members of the QA department whose contracts were terminated last month. The current strike action marks the third time workers have downed tools at Activision Blizzard since the company became involved in a lawsuit over sexual harassment and misconduct claims last year.
“We formed the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) because my colleagues and I want to have our voices heard and we want to see changes that reflect the wants and needs of both the gaming community and the workers who create these incredible products. It’s extremely important that workers have a real seat at the table to positively shape the company going forward,” said Raven QA Lead Brent Reel.
Speaking on the formation of the union, Communications Workers of America Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens highlighted the benefits that unionizing could have for employees at the company, while also asking for management at Activison Blizzard to grant voluntary recognition in a timely manner. “Raven QA workers are taking an important next step toward improving their working conditions by joining together in a union, and we are excited to be supporting their efforts," said Steffens.
"We ask that Activision Blizzard management respect Raven QA workers by voluntarily recognizing CWA's representation without hesitation. A collective bargaining agreement will give Raven QA employees a voice at work, improving the games they produce and making the company stronger. Voluntary recognition is the rational way forward.”
According to the press release, the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) believes that its formation will help to provide structure for workers so that they can push for further positive changes at the company surrounding working conditions, wages, benefits, and transparency on the job without fear of retaliation.
The formation of the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) comes just days after Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for a sizeable $68.7 billion. Following news of the deal, Spencer somewhat addressed Microsoft's efforts to create inclusive environments for all of its studios. "Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players," Spencer wrote.
"We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard."
For more from Activision Blizzard, make sure to check out this article detailing how Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra has promised to improve the culture at the studio moving forward.
Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
