Activision Blizzard has recognized Raven Software’s union of QA testers, according to Bobby Kotick (CEO). He told the Communications Workers of America that “we will participate in good conscience negotiation to get into a collective bargaining agreement.”
Following a walkout that started in December 2021 to protest impending layoffs, QA personnel declared their aim to the union under the Game Workers Alliance in January. On May 23, Raven Quality Assurance employees obtained accreditation for the union, Game Workers Alliance (GWA), with an 86 percent majority vote.
Activision Blizzard’s letter to the QA union
Earlier this year, Activision Blizzard refused to formally acknowledge the creation of the Game Worker’s Alliance, prompting Raven’s quality assurance staff to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. Activision Blizzard subsequently tried to force any unionization attempts at Raven to encompass the entire firm, which would have significantly reduced the union’s chances of success. Activision Blizzard shareholders were also persuaded to vote against workers, according to reports. Despite these attempts, a breakthrough union was created, which is now recognized officially.
In a letter to Activision Blizzard employees that was publicly disclosed today, CEO Bobby Kotick stated that the publishing company will now begin contract negotiations with members of the Communications Workers of America union on behalf of the 27 Raven workers.
“I wanted to convey the news that we will commence discussions with the Communications Workers of America pertaining to the 27 Raven Software quality assurance personnel, the majority of whom have elected to be represented by this union,” Kotick said. “While first labor contracts can take time to complete, we will meet with CWA leaders at the bargaining table and work toward an agreement that supports the success of all our employees, and strengthens our commitment to creating the industry’s best, most welcoming, and inclusive workplace, and enhances our ability to deliver world-class games for our players.”
As an outcome, Activision Blizzard announced that all QA testers based in the united states will be converted to full-time workers, with decent benefits and hourly compensation increases. In the weeks before Raven employees announced their desire to form a union in order to better worker circumstances, Activision has been fiercely anti-union.
