Microsoft Workers Form Largest Union in the U.S. Video Game Industry

The first labor union in the US was formed by a group of video game testers. According to the Communications Workers of America, the largest union in the video game industry is made up of about 300 workers.

Senior game tester Wayne Dayberry told The Associated Press that concerns in the workplace are common at video game companies.

Dayberry said that the quality assurance departments were treated poorly and paid very little. There isn't much dignity involved in it. We want to show people in the industry who are in similar situations that they can do it as well.

According to The New York Times, those involved in the unionization efforts hope their efforts will change how Microsoft promotes workers and assigns responsibilities, as well as negotiate more flexible remote work policies.

Microsoft bought ZeniMax for $7.5 billion in 2021 and was aware of the unionization efforts from the video game tester.

The voting process was not run by the National Labor Relations Board, which is usually involved in the unionization process.

Workers could either sign a union authorization card or use an online platform to vote against the union.

Beth Allen told the Associated Press that they have stood by their word. She said it was pretty significant. Tech companies have been behaving in different ways.

In light of the results of the recent unionization vote, we recognize the Communications Workers of America as the bargaining representative for the quality assurance employees at ZeniMax. As we work towards a collective bargaining agreement, we will engage in good faith negotiations.

The labor deal only applies to workers who joined Microsoft as part of its subsidiary purchases, but the company is said to be open to adding more current employees.

A worker involved in the organizing campaign said in a statement to The Times that the victory allows them to protect themselves and each other in a way they never could without a union.