CWA says the layoffs at Microsoft have not affected the developers it represents

Update (01/26/24): A former Blizzard Entertainment VFX artist noted that they were laid off by Microsoft despite being members of the CWA union. Earlier today, CWA told Game Developer that the layoffs “do not impact workers represented by CWA.” However, a tweet sent to the Game Developer suggested otherwise.

However, after being contacted by Game Developer, Beth Allen, CWA communications director, confirmed that CWA representative members at Microsoft were not affected by the layoffs.

“As we said in our original statement, CWA representative members at Microsoft were not included in the announced layoffs. Currently, CWA officially represents QA testers at ZeniMax, Raven, and Blizzard Albany. CWA is not the company's official representative for other units,” Allen said. Until a majority of employees in the bargaining unit authorize the CWA as their representative.”

“Yesterday's news underscores the urgent need for formal union recognition for workers in the video game industry, and CWA activists will not stop until every Activision Blizzard worker who wants a voice and opportunity to bargain on these types of decisions can do so instead of being subjected to unilateral management decisions.”

Original story: The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union says none of its members were affected by the incident Seismic layoffs at Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.

CWA currently represents hundreds of employees worldwide Newly incorporated conglomerate Within subsidiaries such as ZeniMax Studios, Raven Software, and Blizzard Albany.

In a statement sent to Game Developer, the union implored workers across the gaming industry to organize and ensure they are able to influence the nature of redundancy.

“Microsoft's announcement that it will lay off 1,900 video game workers makes clear that even when you work for a successful company in a highly profitable industry, your livelihood is not protected without a voice on the job,” a CWA spokesperson said.

“Not only does every video game worker deserve their fair share, but they also deserve the peace of mind that comes from having a say in the impact of job cuts. Through organizing, workers have created basic workplace practices that are now commonplace — starting with the eight-hour work day” One to five working days per week. By coming together and exercising their right to organize, workers in the video game industry can make layoff protections standard practice for all workers. “

“Companies will claim we're all family, but family doesn't lay off workers or outsource.”

The CWA said it will continue to support workers at Microsoft and across the industry who want to have a union voice. Wayne Dayberry, senior quality assurance tester and member of ZeniMax Workers United-CWA within Microsoft, echoed those comments and said workers should band together to protect each other.

“Companies will claim that we are all family, but family is not laying off workers or outsourcing. It is clear that one way or another, the only way forward is for us all to come together as workers to protect each other,” he said. “Union representation cannot always protect against layoffs, but through union representation and the bargaining process, video game workers can create greater transparency and policies that put our needs first, including layoff protections.”

The CWA initially opposed Microsoft's merger with Activision Blizzard and called on the FTC to “closely scrutinize the deal.” However, it eventually happened Throwing its weight behind the move After entering into a labor neutrality agreement with Microsoft which allows workers to join unions “freely”.

Data from the GDC 2024 State of the Industry report The post published earlier this month showed that while the majority of developers support unionizing, few are actively discussing the possibility within the workplace. This is despite prominent figures like the previous one Don McGowan, Bungie's chief legal officer, is calling for developers to unionize To combat some of the “dirtiest tricks” used by employers.

The game developer has reached out to the CWA to hear what advice the association will offer to developers looking to take the first steps on this path.