Bethesda Workers Go On Strike Against Microsoft

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I find myself deeply moved by the brave actions of the ZeniMax Workers United union. Having spent countless hours immersed in the rich worlds Bethesda and ZeniMax have created, it’s humbling to see these dedicated workers standing up for their rights.


Previously, employees specializing in quality assurance at Bethesda and ZeniMax studios united to establish ZeniMax Workers United, marking it as the largest accredited video game union within the U.S. Now, this union is demonstrating its collective strength by engaging in a short-term work stoppage against their parent company, Microsoft.

The labor union representing ZeniMax employees, ZeniMax Workers United, has been engaged in discussions with Microsoft regarding remote work arrangements and the cap on external Quality Assurance (QA) workers involved in Bethesda projects. However, they did not disclose who Microsoft is outsourcing QA tasks to. The union alleges that Microsoft has been neglecting their requests for negotiation talks.

In her conversation with Inverse, Rhyanna Eichner stated that they have repeatedly presented their initial plan to us, making it clear that the strategies we’ve employed to mobilize them have not been successful.

The one-day protest was organized with the aim of encouraging Microsoft to pay attention to the union’s issues.

As a passionate advocate for fair working conditions, I’ve come to realize that while striking might not be enjoyable or perfect, there’s an undeniable sense of accomplishment in taking a tangible, actionable step towards change. Here’s hoping we can effectively communicate our demands and compel them to act swiftly, ultimately sitting down together for productive discussions.

Based on Dowell’s statement, a significant number of Quality Assurance (QA) testers were brought on board during the COVID-19 pandemic when working remotely became more common. Presently, Microsoft demands that QA employees attend the office for two days each week. However, the union is advocating for a more adaptable remote work policy.

Following the start of the action, Microsoft made it clear they were ready to engage in dialogue and tackle any issues raised by their employees during negotiations.

“We value and respect our employees’ right to voice their opinions, which they did today. We are committed to listening to them and addressing their concerns during negotiations.

— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) November 13, 2024

Should the one-day work stoppage not prompt Microsoft to offer concessions or modifications, there’s a possibility that a prolonged strike might ensue in the future. However, it is unlikely that Bethesda’s forthcoming games such as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be postponed due to the current strike.

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2024-11-13 22:39