Bethesda Game Studios workers have made a significant decision to join the Communications Workers of America, marking the first unionization at a Microsoft video game studio. The union now consists of 241 developers, artists, engineers, programmers, and designers who have shown their support either through signing union authorization cards or indicating their preference for union representation via an online portal. Microsoft has officially acknowledged the union.
These workers are responsible for creating popular games such as Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Starfield. Mandi Parker, a senior system designer and a member of CWA, expressed excitement about the union formation, emphasizing the importance of democracy in the workplace and the need for a protected voice on the job. The goal is to negotiate a fair contract that will improve working conditions and overall quality of life for the employees.
This move by Bethesda Game Studios employees adds to a growing trend within the video game industry, where workers have been increasingly organizing unions. The CWA Locals 2108 and 6215 in Maryland and Texas will now include these new members, strengthening the union presence at companies like Sega of America, Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, Tender Claws, and others.
Microsoft has affirmed its commitment to engaging in genuine negotiations with the CWA to establish a collective bargaining agreement that benefits all parties involved. The president of CWA Local 2108, Johnny Brown, commended the Bethesda Game Studios workers for their efforts in securing a union, highlighting the positive impact it will have on working conditions and industry standards.
In Montreal, workers at Bethesda Game Studios have also initiated the process of union recognition with the Quebec Labor Relations Board, where they will be represented by CWA Canada upon completion. This move reflects a broader movement within the tech and digital industries to ensure fair treatment and representation for workers.
The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is actively working to empower workers in the tech, game, and digital sectors across the United States and Canada. As a project of the Communications Workers of America, CODE-CWA aims to advocate for the rights and well-being of hundreds of thousands of workers in various industries.
Overall, the decision by Bethesda Game Studios workers to unionize signifies a significant step towards achieving better working conditions, fair treatment, and improved representation within the video game industry. It sets a positive example for other companies and workers to follow suit, ultimately leading to a more equitable and sustainable future for all involved.
