Posts tagged Raven Software
Microsoft’s Union-Neutral Deal Spurs Video Game Organizing Wave
June 29, 2023 // Microsoft Corp.‘s union-friendly stance has opened the door for organizing among online gaming studios nationwide in what legal observers say is a model for other companies looking to establish better relationships with organized labor.
More Activision Blizzard Workers File to Unionize
December 28, 2022 //
The year labor organizing came to tech
December 13, 2022 // Tech's labor organizing is still in its infancy. Only a few unions have successfully formed, and most of those still face the often-arduous process of negotiating contracts with employers. Pandemic-driven labor shortages gave workers an unusual boost in leverage for a time, but that dynamic could change again as the economy slows down. The tech industry laid off over 120,000 employees in 2022.
Pour One Out For The Bosses: Activision Blizzard Loses Second Union Vote
December 5, 2022 // Activision Blizzard’s playbook came up short again. Despite delays, legal appeals, and threats to workers that organizing would lead to lower pay raises, quality assurance developers at the Diablo production studio Blizzard Albany voted 14-0 to unionize today. The Game Workers Alliance Albany are now the second group inside Activision Blizzard to form a union, and the latest testament to a growing labor movement within the larger gaming industry. Among the 18 staff eligible to vote, 14 voted in favor with one vote disqualified and three more challenged by the employer. Both sides have five days to file any objections to today’s results. If neither objects, the group will go on to be represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and begin the tough process of bargaining with Activision Blizzard on its first contract over issues like pay, overtime, and health benefits.
Top Five Labor Law Developments for May 2022
June 17, 2022 // Geodis Logistics, Video game testers, No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act,
Microsoft signs ‘labor neutrality agreement’ with union representing Activision Blizzard employees
June 15, 2022 // Due to significant workplace issues within the larger video game industry, such as poor scheduling and hire-and-fire cycles, unionization efforts have been growing on a grassroots level for at least the last four years. The CWA agreement with Microsoft marks one of the most significant steps forward for the overall movement, and while Microsoft’s responsibilities all amount to simply staying out of the way, it remains one of the most pro-union moves by a major industry player to date.
Microsoft’s union pledge, and the new era of organized labor in tech
June 8, 2022 // Courtney said he sees a direct connection between Microsoft’s announcement, the pending Activision-Blizzard acquisition, and President Joe Biden’s promise to run the most pro-union administration in U.S. history. TODD BISHOP, Marcus Courtney, software tester, principles for employee organizing and engagement with labor organizations, Margaret O’Mara, University of Washington, regulatory approval, video-game testers,
Video Gaming Got Its First Major Union. Now What?
June 2, 2022 //
Unions look to crack into video game industry
May 26, 2022 // Voting was conducted by mail over the better part of the past month, and ballots were due back by Friday. The potential unit is pretty small — approximately 21 workers — and just a fraction of the Wisconsin-based studio’s workforce.