{"id":27426,"date":"2023-01-04T00:20:52","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T00:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/04\/microsofts-video-game-development-studio-zenimax-votes-to-unionize\/"},"modified":"2023-01-04T00:20:52","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T00:20:52","slug":"microsofts-video-game-development-studio-zenimax-votes-to-unionize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/04\/microsofts-video-game-development-studio-zenimax-votes-to-unionize\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft’s video game development studio ZeniMax votes to unionize"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>\n
<\/p>\n

\n

Software developers at Microsoft Corp.-owned video game studio ZeniMax Studios voted Tuesday to create what will become the first ever union at the company. The vote is being hailed as a milestone moment for both Microsoft and the video games industry.<\/p>\n

Around 300 quality assurance staff at ZeniMax voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America union, according to the Wall Street Journal<\/a>. Microsoft, in a statement to the Journal, said it has agreed to recognize the union. \u201cWe recognize the Communications Workers of America as the bargaining representative for the quality assurance employees at ZeniMax,\u201d a Microsoft spokesperson said. \u201cWe look forward to engaging in good faith negotiations as we work towards a collective bargaining agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Microsoft had earlier said it would take a neutral stance with regards to the organizing efforts of ZeniMax\u2019s staff, in line with a pledge the company made last June to recognize the right of employees<\/a> to organize.<\/p>\n

CWA President Chris Shelton praised Microsoft for living up to its commitment to workers and letting them decide for themselves whether or not they would choose to unionize. \u201cOther video game and tech giants have made a conscious choice to attack, undermine, and demoralize their own employees when they join together to form a union,\u201d Shelton pointed out. \u201cMicrosoft is charting a different course which will strengthen its corporate culture and ability to serve its customers and should serve as a model for the industry and as a blueprint for regulators.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the last year, workers in the video games industry have pushed harder for improved workplace conditions, following a number of controversies<\/a> around issues such as work-life balance, poor job stability, pay inequities and other complaints around workplace culture at some of the biggest gaming studios in the U.S.<\/p>\n

The decision of ZeniMax\u2019s staff to unionize comes amid a wider push to organize that has occurred at several major technology firms, including retail and warehouse workers at Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. Some companies have taken a much tougher stance against labor organizations, with Amazon notably refusing to recognize<\/a> workers that voted to form a union.<\/p>\n

ZeniMax\u2019s union bid therefore stands out because of Microsoft\u2019s willingness to recognize the rights of workers to organize. Last year, the company reached a neutrality agreement with the CWA, which also supports an effort by workers at Activision Blizzard Inc. to organize. Microsoft is currently in the process of acquiring Activision in a $68.7 billion deal<\/a> that is scheduled to close later this year.<\/p>\n

Last month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit<\/a> in an attempt to block that deal, alleging that it would enable Microsoft to harm competition in the video game industry. For its part, Microsoft has insisted the deal will in fact\u00a0\u201cexpand competition\u201d<\/a> and \u201ccreate more opportunities\u201d for both gamers and game developers.<\/p>\n

Microsoft\u2019s acquisition of Activision will be its largest ever, if the deal gets the go ahead. It acquired ZeniMax, the developer of hit game franchises such as Doom, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, in 2021 for $7.5 billion. The company owns around two dozen video game development studios in total.<\/p>\n

Image: CWA<\/h5>\n
\n
\n

Show your support for our mission by joining our Cube Club and Cube Event Community of experts. Join the community that includes Amazon Web Services and Amazon.com CEO Andy Jassy, Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and many more luminaries and experts.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n