The Communications Workers of America, who serve as the union for QA testers at ZeniMax, have just announced that they’ve reached a preliminary deal on a labor contract with Microsoft. If this agreement is finalized, it would be among the initial ones to take effect at one of the major AAA game publishers.
Last month, the union decided to allow a potential strike due to issues with the contract negotiation procedure; however, this decision was averted by reaching an agreement. In a statement, CWA announced that the new contract would provide enhanced protections for ZeniMax employees and increase wages universally. Additionally, it would establish regulations for AI usage, prevent unfair terminations, and instate procedures to ensure QA testers receive proper recognition in games they help create.
unionization efforts in the gaming sector, particularly QA testing, have been a focal point of labor activism. Some companies have reportedly attempted to suppress these unions, which is known as union-busting. For instance, at ZeniMax, the QA testers’ union represents approximately 300 employees and has been advocating for fair labor practices for several years. In reaction to this agreement, Jessee Leese, a QA tester and union representative at ZeniMax, expressed, “For years, video games have dominated the revenue of the entire entertainment industry, yet those who create these games are frequently taken advantage of due to their dedication and creativity. By forming unions, negotiating contracts, and speaking as one united voice, workers can reclaim the control and respect we all deserve.
In early 2023, a group of ZeniMax workers formed ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, which was supported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) within the company. This coalition came about due to Microsoft’s commitment to neutrality in union activities. Since then, the union movement has grown within Microsoft, with more teams joining in. For example, the Overwatch 2 team at Blizzard announced their full unionization earlier in May. As a result, over 2,000 employees at Microsoft are now part of unions.
This contract has some important steps left to clear before it becomes active. Since both sides have given their preliminary approval, the union plans to conduct a sequence of informational meetings for its members to understand its terms. Towards the end of June, CWA anticipates organizing a ratification vote among its members.
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2025-05-30 22:09