Unionization efforts by the 241 workers at Bethesda Game Studios have finalized, resulting in Bethesda Game Studios officially becoming the first Microsoft game developer form a wall-to-wall union with the Communication Workers of America (CWA). According to the press release, Microsoft has officially recognized their unionization efforts.
This success comes after Bethesda Game Studios in Montreal filed for union recognition in June. Once officialized the Montreal studio will join CWA Canada.
Multiple executives at CWA shared their excitement at the development in the press release including CWA senior system designer Mandi Parker.
“We are so excited to announce our union at Bethesda Game Studio and join the movement sweeping across the video game industry,” said Parker. “It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job. 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.”
This is the latest in a plethora of efforts of unionization from developers within the gaming industry including Sega of America, Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, Tender and more.