Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
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The Rockstar Game Workers Union breaks cover
Developers at Rockstar Games have announced the formation of the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. This follows accusations of union-busting after the dismissal of over 30 unionizing developers, which Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive deny, citing gross misconduct. The RGWU is preparing legal action and aims to secure pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch.
Samsung unions voted in favor of deal that will give chip workers $400,000 in bonuses
Samsung chip workers have voted in favor of a deal that will provide them with bonuses of up to $400,000. This agreement comes after the possibility of an 18-day strike over compensation.
Report: Wizards of the Coast is trying to discourage workers from unionizing
Wizards 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.
3 years on from laying off over 1,000 people, Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are sending daily emails and physical letters encouraging the survivors to not unionise
Wizards of the Coast is reportedly employing aggressive tactics, including daily emails and physical letters to employees' homes, to discourage workers from unionizing. Employees claim the company hired a union avoidance firm and is spreading misinformation to deter the formation of a union for the Magic: The Gathering Arena team. This follows significant layoffs in 2023, which some employees believe spurred the current unionization efforts.
Samsung has swerved a planned South Korean factory strike with a last-minute deal, so the memory machine rumbles on
Samsung Electronics has reached a last-minute agreement with its labor union, averting a planned 18-day strike. The union had previously demanded 15% of annual operating profits for employee bonuses and the removal of a salary cap on performance pay. The details of the new proposal are yet to be revealed, but the union has agreed to suspend the strike pending an internal vote.
Samsung's labor union suspends strike following tentative agreement
Samsung's labor union has suspended an 18-day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with the company. Following the suspension, Samsung's shares saw an increase of over 6 percent.
Samsung union suspends strike after reaching tentative deal on bonuses
Samsung's union has suspended its planned strike that would have affected the company's memory chip production. The decision follows a tentative agreement reached on bonus payments.
Over 47,000 Samsung workers set to go on strike this week
Contract negotiations between Samsung and a labor union representing over 47,000 employees have failed, leading to a potential strike this week. The breakdown in talks signals ongoing labor disputes within the company.
Samsung faces strike from nearly 48,000 union workers
Samsung workers in South Korea are planning to strike on May 21 following a failure to reach an agreement with the company. Approximately 48,000 union workers are expected to participate in the walkout.
Politicians accuse Rockstar of obstructing legal process, eBay rebuffs GameStop, and video game hardware screams now - Patch Notes #52
This week's Patch Notes covers several key industry events, including politicians accusing Rockstar Games of obstructing legal processes related to union-busting allegations for Grand Theft Auto 6. eBay rejected a takeover bid from GameStop, while Nintendo cited geopolitical and technological factors for its Switch 2 price increases. Additionally, Subnautica 2 achieved over a million sales in its first hour, and Valve's new Steam Controller features an audible alert when dropped.
Evening Legal Briefs
Members of Parliament have accused Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games of obstructing legal proceedings related to alleged 'union-busting' dismissals. The article also briefly mentions Canada's examination of AI copyright rules and social media age limits.
UK Politicians Say GTA 6 Developer Rockstar 'Refused to Properly Engage' With Appeal Processes After Firing Staff Last Year
UK politicians have criticized Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games for its handling of staff dismissals last October. The politicians stated that Rockstar 'refused to properly engage' with appeal processes following the firing of 34 workers, as legal disputes continue.
Psychonauts developer Double Fine will unionise with CWA
Double 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 unionize
Double 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 unionise
Double 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.
Double Fine is the latest team at Microsoft to unionize
Double 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 Is Forming a Union
Double Fine Productions, the developer behind Psychonauts and Kiln, is in the process of forming a union. This move makes Double Fine the latest studio under Microsoft to establish a union.
Business and Finance
Double Fine, the studio behind Psychonauts, has formed a union, becoming the latest Microsoft-owned studio to do so. This move signifies a growing trend of labor organization within the gaming industry.
Psychonauts developer Double Fine are the latest Microsoft-owned studio to unionise
Double 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 Studios
Double 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.
