Activision QA Workers Make History: Largest US Video Game Union Formed

Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA: The Largest Video Game Union in the US

In a historic move, approximately 600 quality assurance (QA) workers at Activision Publishing have united to form a union, with the assistance of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The vote, certified on Friday, March 8th, has led to the creation of Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA, now the biggest video game union in the country and the latest to emerge from Microsoft’s gaming division.

Microsoft’s Labor Neutrality Agreement Paves the Way

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2022, coupled with its labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, has made the unionization process more straightforward for employees within the company and its subsidiaries. The agreement, which facilitates the organization process, has been a key factor in the successful formation of the union.

QA Workers Seek Better Protections and Pay

Tom Shelley, a technical requirements specialist and one of the organizers of Activision Quality Assurance United, spoke to The Zero Byte about the importance of the union for QA workers, who often face the lowest pay and weakest protections in the industry, despite their crucial role in the success of the companies and the games they create.

“This has been an emergent effort that’s arisen in the last few weeks in response to the opportunities we’ve had to freely organize following the merger. As QA workers, we often have the weakest protections and lowest pay of any workers in the industry — even though our work is integral to the success of the companies we work for and the titles we make.”

The Vital Role of QA in the Gaming Industry

QA workers are responsible for testing games, identifying bugs, and other issues, and reporting them to developers for resolution. As most QA positions are entry-level, the industry has a history of undervaluing these roles, highlighting the need for better labor protections.

Microsoft’s Recognition and the Future of Game Industry Unions

Shelley commended Microsoft for voluntarily recognizing the union and expressed hope that this move will encourage more organizing efforts within the company and the industry as a whole. This development follows the recognition of unions at ZeniMax Online, Blizzard Albany, and Raven Software.

Challenges Faced by Game Industry Unions

Despite the growing momentum of video game labor unions, they have encountered obstacles, particularly in the face of widespread layoffs. In 2023, the CWA filed an unfair labor complaint against Sega, alleging that the company planned to “phase out” temporary employees who were members of the Aegis union formed last year. However, when Sega eventually laid off employees, Aegis reported that union negotiations succeeded in preserving some jobs.