Communications Workers of America
Communications Workers of America business and news from across the web.
"This isn’t just something that affects Wizards of the Coast" - Magic: the Gathering Arena team vote to unionise for protection against layoffs, genAI and forced crunchDevelopers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast are organizing to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union aims to secure better protections against layoffs, address generative AI usage, and prevent mandatory crunch. This move follows similar unionization efforts in the gaming industry and aims to give workers more say in workplace conditions and equity.
Magic: The Gathering Arena Developers Announce Official United Wizards of the Coast Worker's Union.Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena have announced the formation of the United Wizards of the Coast union, affiliated with the Communications Workers of America. The union has formally requested voluntary recognition from Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro, citing concerns over worker well-being, equity, AI usage, workload sustainability, and job security. The company has until May 1, 2026, to respond.
Magic: The Gathering Arena staff unionize with CWA, citing forced RTO, AI use, and crunch cultureOver one hundred Wizards of the Coast employees working on Magic: The Gathering Arena have formed a union called United Wizards of the Coast, partnering with the Communications Workers of America. The union cites issues such as forced return-to-office mandates, pay discrepancies, forced AI use, and crunch culture as reasons for organizing. This effort is part of a growing trend of unionization within the gaming industry.
Magic: The Gathering Arena devs are unionizing to deliver genAI and layoff protectionsDevelopers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast are seeking to unionize under the Communications Workers of America. The group, calling themselves United Wizards of the Coast—CWA, has requested voluntary recognition from Wizards of the Coast and its parent company Hasbro. They are seeking protections regarding layoffs, remote work, workloads, career pathways, and the use of generative AI tools.
Streamer Support, Mental Health Gaming, Final Fantasy for Good, and the UVW: Good in Gaming Vol. 3This installment of Good in Gaming highlights various positive initiatives within the gaming community, including a mobile game called Finch that promotes mental health through habit tracking, a charity stream by Rashern for The Trevor Project that raised $1000, and the Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta which raises money for the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund. The article also touches on the ongoing efforts of the United Videogame Workers to advocate for better labor conditions and unionization within the game industry.
Union workers send a message to game industry execs: 'Let go of the power now, or be forced to let go of it later.'Unionized video game workers attending the GDC Festival of Gaming sent a strong message to industry executives regarding power dynamics and recent mass layoffs. Speakers urged leaders to address worker concerns and consider the human impact of business decisions, warning that resistance to change will ultimately be futile.
Direct-join union UVW-CWA now has 550 membersThe United Videogame Workers-CWA, a direct-join union for video game workers in the US and Canada, has reached approximately 550 members. Established in March of last year, the union aims to build worker power across the industry and is currently developing a 'Videogame Worker Bill of Rights'.
Unionized game workers launch petition to protect immigrants from ICE agentsUnionized game workers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and UVW-CWA, have launched a petition demanding employers implement 'Fourth Amendment workplaces.' This initiative calls for companies to refuse cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents unless presented with a judicial warrant. The campaign aims to protect immigrant workers within the industry from potential deportation and arbitrary arrests.
Hyper Light Drifter studio Heart Machine voluntarily recognises unionIndie developer Heart Machine has voluntarily recognized a union formed by 13 of its staff members, following several rounds of layoffs. Separately, Sumo Digital is partnering with Arm to evaluate new AI-powered neural technology for mobile game development, aiming to bring PC-quality graphics to mobile platforms.- Hyper Light Drifter studio workers form union after rounds of layoffsWorkers at independent game studio Heart Machine, known for Hyper Light Drifter, have formed a union with Communications Workers of America Local 9003. This move follows multiple rounds of layoffs at the studio, including the discontinuation of Hyper Light Breaker. The union aims to protect workers in the face of industry instability and increasing demands for employee voices to be heard.
"If we love this work, we have to protect it" - Hyper Light studio Heart Machine is now a "wall-to-wall" unionDevelopers at the indie studio Heart Machine, known for games like Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, have unionized with the Communications Workers of America. This move follows recent layoffs and aims to protect workers' rights and workplace conditions. The studio has voluntarily recognized the union, and negotiations for a first contract are expected.
'If we love this work, we have to protect it:' Heart Machine workers secure voluntary union recognitionEmployees at Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, have successfully unionized with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and received voluntary recognition from the company. This move follows recent layoffs and aims to secure better work-life balance, creative autonomy, and job security for developers. The unionization effort at Heart Machine is part of a broader trend of increasing labor organizing within the game industry.