Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America business and news from across the web.
As layoffs continue to ravage the games industry, a union across North America establishes a fund to help those impacted by itThe United Videogame Workers union, in partnership with the Communications Workers of America, has launched the Game Worker Hardship Fund to assist industry professionals impacted by layoffs since January 2024. The fund offers up to $5,000 for work and life expenses, with contributions coming from union membership dues and a new itch.io charity bundle. This initiative aims to provide a lifeline to workers affected by recent industry-wide job cuts.
On the unionization frontlinesTwo significant unionization victories occurred in the video game industry: Bethesda Game Studios employees formed a union at Microsoft, and the World of Warcraft development staff formed the World of Warcraft Game Makers Guild at Blizzard Entertainment. The Communications Workers of America, represented by Emma Kinema, spearheaded these efforts, with insights from Bethesda's Autumn Mitchell and Chris Lusco discussed in the Game Developer Podcast.
Magic: The Gathering Arena developers have successfully unionizedDevelopers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro have successfully unionized, forming the United Wizards of the Coast-CWA. The union's goals include obtaining assurances regarding generative AI, layoff protections, and compensation transparency. Employees voted in favor of unionization following a National Labour Relations Board election after their request for voluntary recognition was denied.
Wizards of the Coast writes to staff to explain "how union representation works" as studio prepares to vote to unionizeWizards of the Coast has communicated with staff about the implications of union representation as employees prepare to vote on unionizing with the Communication Workers of America. The company stated that all current benefits and perks would be subject to negotiation, potentially resulting in changes to existing terms. The vote is scheduled with the National Labor Relations Board for June 2.
Report: Wizards of the Coast is trying to discourage workers from unionizingWizards of the Coast is reportedly issuing letters to employees to discourage them from unionizing, warning of potential negative outcomes. This comes as Magic: The Gathering Arena developers are set to vote on unionizing with the Communications Workers of America on June 2, 2026, after voluntarily recognizing the union failed. The union organizers state their goals include securing AI protections, bolstering job security, and addressing concerns about career progression and a return-to-office mandate.
Psychonauts developer Double Fine will unionise with CWADouble Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, is unionizing with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) alongside other Microsoft game studios. The CWA confirmed that Double Fine workers are forming a union to preserve commitments to creative excellence, diversity, inclusion, and worker quality of life. Microsoft has adopted a neutral stance regarding the unionization efforts.
Double Fine petitions to unionizeDouble Fine Productions, a Microsoft-owned studio, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Communication Workers of America. Approximately 42 employees are included in the union effort, which aims to preserve the studio's commitments to creative excellence and worker quality of life. Microsoft has stated a neutral approach to the organizing efforts.
Double Fine Productions is the latest Microsoft subsidiary to unioniseDouble Fine Productions, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the support of the Communications Workers of America. This move follows a trend of unionization among Microsoft subsidiaries, with the company agreeing to a neutral approach. The proposed union includes 42 employees who aim to preserve the studio's commitments to creative excellence and worker quality of life.
Psychonauts, Kiln studio Double Fine votes to unioniseDouble Fine Productions, a Microsoft-owned studio known for Psychonauts, has voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This follows similar unionization efforts at other Microsoft-owned studios like id Software. Separately, Slay the Spire 2 developer Mega Crit is adjusting its patch release schedule and has removed the Doormaker boss in favor of a new one called Aeonglass.
Double Fine is the latest team at Microsoft to unionizeDouble Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, has filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board, with all 42 employees participating. The studio is organizing with the Communications Workers of America, a union that has previously supported labor efforts at other Microsoft-owned studios like Activision and ZeniMax.
Psychonauts developer Double Fine are the latest Microsoft-owned studio to unioniseDouble Fine Productions, the Microsoft-owned studio behind Psychonauts, has announced its decision to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. The union will include all 42 employees at the studio. This move follows similar unionization efforts by other developers owned by Microsoft, amidst recent layoffs within the company.
Double Fine is unionising at Xbox Game StudiosDouble Fine, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. This move involves 42 employees and follows similar unionization efforts within Microsoft's gaming divisions, including Activision Blizzard and Zenimax. While Microsoft has historically taken a neutral stance on unionization, the company has faced delays in collective bargaining with previously formed unions.- Workers for Xbox studio Double Fine are forming a unionWorkers at Xbox studio Double Fine, known for the Psychonauts series, are forming a labor union. The employees are organizing with the Communications Workers of America.
- Double Fine has filed a petition to unionize in conjunction with Communications Workers of AmericaDouble Fine has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize, in conjunction with the Communications Workers of America. The petition was filed on May 7, 2026, marking a significant step in the company's labor relations efforts.
First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizingFirst-party Xbox developer Double Fine, known for the Psychonauts series, has filed to unionize under the Communications Workers of America. The union would represent 42 employees, and the company leadership is requesting voluntary recognition from Microsoft, which has adopted a neutral stance.
"They responded only to the press": Wizards of the Coast miss deadline for recognising Magic: The Gathering Arena unionWizards of the Coast has missed a deadline to voluntarily recognize the union formed by Magic: The Gathering Arena developers. The union, United Wizards of the Coast—CWA, claims management has only responded to press inquiries and is now awaiting a National Labor Relations Board petition. The union aims to address issues like layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and generative AI adoption.
Wizards of the Coast Fails to Recognize Magic: The Gathering Arena Union, the United Wizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast has declined to voluntarily recognize the newly formed United Wizards of the Coast union, which represents developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena. The union, partnered with the Communications Workers Association, had requested recognition by May 1st, citing a desire for sustainable workloads, AI protections, and brand stewardship. An official election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board will now be held in the coming weeks to determine union representation.
Amazon pilots playable game demos on TwitchAmazon is testing a new feature on Twitch that allows users to play game demos directly through the streaming platform without downloading them. The test involved a 20-minute demo of Tarsier Studios' Reanimal, utilizing cloud-based streaming technology. Separately, developers at Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, have announced plans to unionize with the Communications Workers of America, citing concerns over layoffs, remote work, and transparency.
Magic: The Gathering Arena devs announce plans to unioniseA supermajority of Magic: The Gathering Arena developers at Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, have announced plans to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This marks the first known unionization effort at Wizards of the Coast, driven by concerns over layoffs, remote work policies, and mandatory crunch. The workers are seeking protections against layoffs, safeguards for generative AI, and increased transparency and equity.- Magic: The Gathering Arena developers intend to form a union with the CWADevelopers at Wizards of the Coast, makers of Magic: The Gathering Arena, are organizing to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union has filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, citing concerns over layoffs, wages, remote work policies, and workplace transparency. This effort follows similar unionization drives within the broader video game industry.