Los Angeles, California – Around 600 workers in the quality assurance department of Activision Publishing have recently formed a union, marking a significant milestone in the gaming industry. Assisted by the Communications Workers of America, the employees finalized their vote with the results officially certified on Friday, March 8th. As a result, Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA has emerged as the latest union to originate from Microsoft’s gaming division and is now recognized as the largest video game union in the United States.
Tom Shelley, a technical requirements specialist and one of the organizers of Activision Quality Assurance United, highlighted the impact of the labor neutrality agreement and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in facilitating the unionization process. Shelley emphasized that the merger provided an opportunity for workers to freely organize and address longstanding issues in the industry, such as low pay and lack of job security for quality assurance professionals.
The efforts to unionize within the quality assurance sector gained momentum in response to the challenges faced by workers in this critical role. Quality assurance workers play a vital role in testing games, identifying bugs, and ensuring the overall quality of gaming products. Despite the essential nature of their work, QA jobs are often undervalued within the industry, leading to a call for increased labor protections and fair compensation.
Acknowledging Microsoft’s decision to voluntarily recognize the union, Shelley expressed optimism that this move would inspire further organizing efforts within the company and potentially set a precedent for labor rights in the gaming sector. The formation of Activision Quality Assurance United underscores the growing recognition of the importance of collective bargaining and worker solidarity in advocating for better working conditions and fair treatment in the gaming industry.
Overall, the establishment of this union not only represents a significant achievement for the employees of Activision Publishing but also signals a shift towards greater empowerment and representation for quality assurance workers across the video game sector. The union’s formation sets a precedent for future advancements in labor rights and highlights the ongoing efforts to improve conditions for workers in an industry that continues to evolve rapidly.