This story was spread by two famous American journalists. David Jamisson (HuffPost) and Jason Schreier (Bloomberg): Activision Blizzard’s quality assurance staff have won a lawsuit with the US National Labor Council. Their victories? The United States should recognize the Video Game Workers Union. This is only the second time in history that such an event has occurred!
long struggle…
In early April, it was announced that 1,100 full-time employees who previously served as Activision Blizzard’s quality assurance department would be transferred. studio staff Kuzgun software (Call of Duty, Wolfenstein) Didn’t get a chance to benefit from this important change And the subject remained Very precarious working (and living) conditions.
To appeal this decision, Some chose to form troops, about thirty of them. To protect your rights. unfortunately they are Unions are not legion in the United StatesAnd they’ve been virtually non-existent in the video game industry since then.So far, only one has been recognized by the US state. : Studio Vodeo (originally from Game Beast Breaker).
In this direction Apparently, Activision Blizzard ManagementAccording to Bloomberg, He illegally threatened the test team to terminate this unit. Yet some 30 interested employees have not given up for nearly five weeks, even settling to join the 700,000-member union of communications workers to be recognized as a gaming industry union. video. It’s just.
When nothing helps andActivision Blizzard stubbornly does not recognize this union According to management, unlike the studio’s more than 300 employees, 30 people cannot be the relevant bargaining unit. Future members of the union were selected to fight in the National Labor Relations Council. To formally determine whether this union is legitimate.
This Monday, May 23, 2022, The Council took the decision by videoconference with 19 votes in favor and 3 against.. This is why the link created by Raven Software employees is officially recognized by the US government. And he thus becomes the second person to earn this precious recognition by specifically allowing them to legitimize their fight. The Game Workers Alliance was born.
… and a permanent fight against winds and tides
However, the real issues are not hidden behind these thirty employees.
The US Department of Labor is reportedly investigating allegations of threats against Activision Blizzard administration employees.But also onSocial media policy allegedly violates employee class action rights. According to Bloomberg, the same ministry has already “There is enough evidence“Soon continued. Naturally, Activision Blizzard has previously denied the allegations. Through one of its spokespersons, Jessica Taylor, “These allegations are baseless. Employees can speak freely about workplace issues without retaliation“.
Negotiations are even planned for a written contract with Activision Blizzard for the Game Workers Alliance side, and it’s a pretty logical continuation of recent events. However, given the management’s hostile attitude towards this group of workers, it’s a safe bet that nothing has been won on this side yet. Bloomberg reported some of the words sent to employees going in this direction, namely, “A union cannot guarantee a salary increase“But a lot”Union contracts often put an end to flexible working hours“.
The future owner of a Microsoft company can also create serious problems. This is the new union. Activision’s future parent company Blizzard King isn’t exactly known for its high accuracy in fighting the payroll.Officially, however, Vice President Lisa Tanzi said last March that Microsoft would not interfere in its employee merger.
A great victory then but which could be the most difficult for Raven Software…
Source : Millenium
