Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
Latest coverage
Microsoft is apparently reneging on its promise to bargain with laid-off Bethesda Montreal devs
Microsoft is reportedly reneging on its promise to bargain with laid-off Bethesda Montreal employees regarding severance packages. The Bethesda Game Studios union claims that Microsoft/Xbox informed affected workers they would receive the minimum legal severance without negotiation, contradicting earlier assurances. This alleged violation of labor laws has led the union to file a complaint and encourage public feedback to Microsoft.
Union accuses Microsoft of unlawfully laying off staff in legal action
The Communication Workers of America (CWA) union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Microsoft, alleging unlawful layoffs and bad-faith bargaining. CWA Canada has also taken legal action regarding employee dismissals at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal. Microsoft stated they are committed to the bargaining process and supporting affected employees.
Union slams Microsoft for "unfair labor practice", alleging Xbox "unlawfully" laid off staff
Microsoft's Xbox division is facing accusations of unfair labor practices, including unlawfully laying off staff without proper union notification or discussion. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) has filed complaints alleging refusal to bargain and coercive actions. Meanwhile, Netflix reported a 600% surge in kids' game engagement, driven by its dedicated mobile app, and expressed confidence in scaling its cloud gaming offerings.
ZA/UM are set for more layoffs only two months after launching Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
ZA/UM is reportedly laying off over 30 employees, approximately one-third of its studio, just two months after the release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. The company cited the game's commercial performance as the reason for the layoffs, despite its critical acclaim. This follows previous controversies and the formation of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance, the UK's first recognized video game union.
"Don't fall for it": Union says Fallout 5 and Elder Scrolls 6 news shouldn't distract you from huge Bethesda layoffs as Xbox CEO praises the series' "remarkable" achievements
The United Videogame Workers-CWA union claims Bethesda's announcements about Fallout 5 and The Elder Scrolls 6 are a deliberate distraction from recent mass layoffs at Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma praised the franchises' achievements, while unions filed unfair labor practice complaints against Microsoft regarding the layoffs.
Unions file unfair labor complaints accusing Microsoft of ‘unlawful’ firings and ‘coercive’ action at Xbox studios
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) union has filed unfair labor practice complaints against Microsoft and Xbox studios, including ZeniMax Online Studios, over recent layoffs. The complaints accuse Microsoft of failing to provide information, modifying contracts, engaging in surveillance, and refusing to bargain with union members. Xbox has stated they are committed to beginning bargaining with the CWA.
Over 4,500 Google workers have signed a petition calling for layoff protections: 'These layoffs and cuts are not difficult decisions, but simply profit being put over the people that make this company run'
Over 4,500 Google workers have signed a union-led petition demanding layoff protections, including guaranteed severance and buyouts, citing profit over people. The petition was delivered to CEO Sundar Pichai's office amidst ongoing tech industry layoffs attributed partly to AI advancements. Google parent company Alphabet's market cap has quadrupled, yet workers feel their contributions are undervalued.
Unions accuse Microsoft of having "unlawfully fired people" in unfair labor practice complaints filed over Xbox layoffs
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and CWA Canada have filed unfair labor practice complaints against Microsoft, alleging unlawful firings and bad-faith bargaining during recent Xbox layoffs. The unions accuse Microsoft of failing to notify or discuss layoffs with them, despite ongoing collective agreement negotiations. An Xbox spokesperson stated the company respects employees' rights and is committed to the bargaining process.
Unions take legal action against Microsoft for allegedly mishandling Xbox layoffs
Labor unions in the United States and Canada have filed unfair labor practice charges against Microsoft and its subsidiaries, including Xbox, ZeniMax Media, id Software, and Bethesda Game Studios. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and CWA Canada allege that Microsoft failed to provide necessary information and engaged in bad faith bargaining regarding recent layoffs, which impacted studios like Bethesda Game Studios and id Software. Legal actions claim Microsoft made unilateral changes and unlawfully terminated employees without proper discussion with the unions.
ZeniMax Online Studios leadership included in Xbox mass layoffs
ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, is experiencing significant layoffs affecting 379 employees across ZeniMax, including senior leadership. This is part of broader job cuts at Xbox and Microsoft, with some affected employees represented by the Communications Workers of America union. Labor unions have filed unfair labor practice charges against Microsoft for alleged mishandling of these layoffs.
Ubisoft Barcelona Workers to Continue Strike Due to “Far Below The Minimum Expected” Severance Pay
Employees at Ubisoft Barcelona are planning a larger strike on July 16th due to dissatisfaction with severance pay offered following 51 layoffs. Negotiations have broken down, with employees stating the offered pay is "far below the minimum expected." Ubisoft confirmed the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring to reduce costs and potentially refocus the Barcelona studio on Rainbow Six projects.
Ubisoft Barcelona devs strike over layoffs following Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced launch
Developers at Ubisoft Barcelona are staging a three-day strike to protest the layoff of 51 employees, which occurred shortly after the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The striking workers, in collaboration with the CSVI union, are demanding the cancellation of layoffs, stronger job security, the reinstatement of remote work policies, and promised salary increases.
Comings and Goings
Unionized former developers from MindsEye are protesting an alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy, calling it a "kick in the teeth" for recently fired workers. The protest highlights ongoing labor disputes within the game development industry.
"A kick in the teeth for the fired workers": Unionised former MindsEye devs protest alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy
The IWGB union, representing former employees of Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), protested outside the studio's offices. They accuse BARB of hosting an expenses-paid fan playtest event for their game, MindsEye, shortly after mass layoffs, calling it a "kick in the teeth" to the former workers. The union also alleges BARB management installed surveillance software on employee PCs to identify "saboteurs."
'A kick in the teeth:' Game workers protest alleged misconduct at MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy
Game workers protested alleged misconduct and mismanagement at MindsEye developer Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) over alleged data privacy violations and handling of layoffs. The IWGB Game Workers Union is taking legal action against the studio, founded by Leslie Benzies, over surveillance software and recent job cuts. The union criticized BARB's decision to host an expenses-paid fan playtest day for MindsEye, calling it a misuse of funds and a 'kick in the teeth' to laid-off employees.
"They want us to accept this as a done deal and quietly disappear" – Bethesda union members organise protest in response to Xbox layoffs
Union members at Bethesda Game Studios, Id Software, and ZeniMax Online Studios are organizing protests and a strike in response to recent layoffs affecting 440 employees. The OneBGS union accuses Microsoft and Bethesda of attempting to circumvent bargaining obligations by framing the cuts as an 'entrepreneurial change.' They are demanding preferential transfers, stronger severance packages, and recall rights for affected workers.
Bethesda union staff to march outside studios over Xbox layoffs: 'The company wants us to accept this as a done…
Bethesda developers, organized as the OneBGS union, are planning a protest march across studios on July 15th to oppose recent layoffs by Xbox. The union criticizes these layoffs as a recurring issue and aims to show management the adverse impact on remaining staff and studio talent, citing significant staff reductions at Zenimax Online Studios and id Software, and the closure of studios responsible for games like Hi-Fi Rush and Prey.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced developers facing layoffs
Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, at the end of July, following broader layoffs at Ubisoft last month. These cuts come despite the recent successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. A Spanish union has called for strikes to protest the layoffs and demand better job protections.
Assassin Creed Black Flag Resynced developers facing layoffs
Ubisoft Barcelona is laying off 51 employees, including QA lead Isabel Codina García, at the end of July, despite the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo has called for strikes to demand better job protections and the retention of laid-off workers. Anonymous employees cite a pattern of mistreatment and a top-down management culture contributing to these workforce reductions.
MindsEye developers protest against a fan event their own studio is hosting
Developers at Build a Rocket Boy are planning to protest an upcoming on-site playtest event for their game MindsEye, citing recent layoffs and concerns over labor practices. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is supporting the protest, which highlights the studio's spending on fan events while allegedly mistreating its workforce.
