The formation of the largest video game union yet, comprising 600 Activision QA workers, supported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), marks a significant milestone in the fight for fair labor practices within the gaming industry. On the X platform, formerly recognized as Twitter, @ABetterABK account shared this proud moment through a tweet featuring a phrase,
We are thrilled to announce that Activision Quality Assurance testers located in Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Texas have voted to form the largest union in the video game industry under the umbrella of Activision Quality Assurance United (AQAU).
Microsoft has voluntarily recognized the union, marking a significant milestone in the labor movement within the tech industry. With this recognition, over 1000 workers at Microsoft are now officially unionized, paving the way for improved working conditions and collective bargaining power.
According to a statement given to Polygon, a spokesperson from the Communication Workers of America (CWA) spoke about the importance of the recent developments regarding Activision’s QA workers and customer service roles in the gaming industry. The statement emphasized the frequently ignored and undervalued nature of these positions and highlighted the significance of solidarity and collective action.
As VentureBeat reported in 2022, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) reached labor neutrality agreement with Microsoft, which acquired Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Tom Shelley, a technical requirements specialist and organizer at Activision Quality Assurance United, highlighted to the Verge that this agreement, combined with Microsoft’s acquisition, has significantly aided their unionization efforts. This collective endeavor culminated in a resounding show of support during the final vote tally, where out of 398 votes, 390 were in favor yes underscoring the widespread desire among workers for better representation and protections in their workplace.