Employees from Bethesda Game Studios have successfully entered unionization by joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) which will represent all job divisions.
The group of employees claimed to be the first Microsoft video game studio to establish a wall-to-wall union.
(Photo : Getty Images)
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Bethesda Game Workers Agreed to Unionization
According to reports, 241 workers either signed an authorization card or indicated their intention to join a union through an online portal. The studio officially became a member of the CWA, representing workers from different divisions.
"We're thrilled to get down to brass tacks and win a fair contract, proving that our unity is a source of real power to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole," said Mandi Parker, Bethesda senior system designer.
The company also acknowledged that unionization is a huge step toward bringing democracy to the workplace and protecting each worker on the job. The CWA represents the growing number of personnel from the video game industry.
Microsoft Supports Video Game Divisions' Unionization
In 2023, Microsoft became the first company to support the video game industry's largest union. Quality assurance workers at ZeniMax Studios, which holds around 300 workers, formed a union with the CWA.
ZeniMax Workers pushed the unionization to fight against sudden periods of crunch during game development. The union will also ensure that each worker will get more equitable and other workplace benefits.
The studio was eventually dethroned by Activision's unionization which is home to around 600 members. Quality assurance workers from the company formed the union amid the regulatory approval for Microsoft's billion-dollar acquisition of the company.
As of writing, Microsoft still holds the record for the largest unionized gaming division. Other gaming companies are still seeking unionization amid work security in the industry.
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