Unionized workers at Raven Software have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against parent companies Activision Blizzard and Microsoft.
According to the game fileThe complaint charges both “bad faith bargaining” and “concerted activities,” the latter of which may include “retaliation, dismissal, [and] discipline.”
The complaint comes as unionized Raven employees attempt to reach a collective bargaining agreement with their employer. It’s unclear what provisions the union hopes to secure in a potential new contract, but it appears the initial optimism that followed the studio’s unionization push has now dissipated.
“Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, our members were optimistic that they would quickly move toward a first contract at Raven Software,” Communications Workers of America President Claude Cummings Jr. told Game File. “Unfortunately, that has not happened. We encourage Microsoft to address the concerns raised in the unfair labor practices complaint and make reaching a fair agreement a priority.”
The CWA has assisted a number of video game industry unions in their organizing efforts, including several cohorts within Activision Blizzard and Microsoft. The CWA's most recent victory came when over 500 Blizzard Entertainment employees created a wall-to-wall connection at the Microsoft-owned studio.
Previously, he oversaw the formation of unions that included nearly 250 Bethesda Game Studios workers AND approximately 600 quality control workers at Activision Blizzard.
These efforts were aided by the agreement on labour neutrality. Microsoft Signed With CWA In 2022which initially covered Activision Blizzard employees but has since been extended to ZeniMax workersThis agreement allows workers to “freely and fairly make a choice about union representation.”
Responding to the NLRB's complaint, Microsoft said it remains “committed to bargaining in good faith.” Game File, however, reports that Raven workers have participated in numerous bargaining sessions with management since the union was formed in 2022but they have not yet made significant progress.
The game developer has contacted the CWA and Microsoft for further information.