Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
Latest coverage
"They responded only to the press": Wizards of the Coast miss deadline for recognising Magic: The Gathering Arena union
Wizards 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 declines to voluntarily recognize game worker union
Wizards of the Coast and its parent company Hasbro have declined to voluntarily recognize the United Wizards of the Coast—CWA union, despite a request from employees by May 1, 2026. The union, seeking increased staff wellbeing through layoff protections and generative AI guardrails, plans to proceed with a National Labor Relations Board election.
Wizards of the Coast Fails to Recognize Magic: The Gathering Arena Union, the United Wizards of the Coast
Wizards 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.
Union claims Nacon's decision to shutter Spiders was a "premeditated and deliberate choice"
French union Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) has accused Nacon of a "premeditated and deliberate choice" in closing the Spiders studio, affecting 71 workers. The union claims Nacon's financial arrangements and mismanagement, including cancelling "Project Dark" and refusing new contracts, led to Spiders' insolvency. STJV is calling for a boycott of Nacon and has highlighted past worker concerns and strikes regarding studio management.
Greedfall studio Spiders' liquidation is a "premeditated and deliberate choice by Nacon’s management" claim union as they call for a boycott
The French video game union STJV claims that the liquidation of Greedfall 2 developer Spiders is a deliberate choice by publisher Nacon's management, not a result of the studio's profitability. The union alleges Nacon engaged in financial arrangements that left Spiders as an 'empty shell' and prevented it from securing new contracts or external funding, leading to the termination of 71 workers. The STJV is calling for a boycott of Nacon.
In the wake of $100 GTA 6 rumours, Take-Two still won't give an actual price, but says "our job is to charge way, way, way less of the value"
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed Grand Theft Auto 6's pricing, stating the company aims to deliver value significantly less than the perceived worth of the game. He also noted that game prices have remained relatively stagnant despite inflation. The article also touches on recent staff firings at Rockstar Games and their connection to labor relations.
Amazon pilots playable game demos on Twitch
Amazon 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 unionise
A 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.
Union accuses Apple of unlawful discrimination against represented workers
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple with the National Labor Relations Board. The union accuses Apple of unlawfully discriminating against unionized employees at its now-closed Towson, Maryland retail store by not offering them the same transfer opportunities provided to non-unionized employees.
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.
'Many employees are leaving for SK hynix': 40,000 Samsung workers are marching outside its factories to…
Tens of thousands of Samsung workers in South Korea are protesting outside factories, demanding a 7% increase in base salaries and 15% of annual operating profit as bonus pay. Employees are reportedly leaving for SK hynix due to a perceived compensation gap. Samsung has stated it will make efforts to reach an agreement, with a planned 18-day strike set to begin on May 21 if demands are not met.
Evening Legal Briefs
Ubisoft has reached a settlement with workers who were laid off after attempting to unionize. This legal brief also mentions a separate settlement involving advertising firms and the Trump FTC over claims of boycotting conservative media.
Ubisoft Halifax union members agree settlement after studio closure
Unionized workers at the now-closed Ubisoft Halifax studio have agreed to a confidential settlement with Ubisoft. CWA Canada Local 30111, representing 61 employees, negotiated the deal for those who lost their jobs when the mobile-focused studio was shuttered in January, shortly after unionizing. Former employees expressed gratitude for the union's efforts in securing the settlement.
Apple (AAPL) is closing its first unionized store
Apple is closing its first unionized retail store located in Towson, Maryland. The store's employees successfully unionized in 2022.
Apple is closing three US stores, including the first to unionize
Apple is closing three US retail stores this summer, including its first location to unionize in Towson, Maryland. The company cited declining conditions at the shopping centers as the reason for the closures. The union representing the Towson workers expressed concerns that the closure is an attempt to bust the union and is exploring legal options.
Trump labor board tells Amazon to negotiate with Staten Island warehouse union
The Trump administration's labor board has ordered Amazon to recognize and bargain with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union for its Staten Island warehouse workers. This ruling is the latest development in a multiyear dispute over pay, benefits, and safety, though Amazon plans to appeal, citing improper influence on the election. This marks a significant victory for the union, which has been fighting for recognition since workers voted to unionize in 2022.
French Game Industry Union Calls Out Nacon Leadership For Poor Leadership Leading to Bankruptcy
The French video game union Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Video has criticized Nacon's leadership for mismanagement, leading to the bankruptcy of the company and several of its studios, including Spiders, Cyanide, and Kylotonn. The union calls for the removal of Nacon's executive team and demands better working conditions and policies to prevent talent drain.
Business and Finance
Resident Evil Village: Shadows of Rose topped the US sales charts for February, with launch sales reportedly 60% higher than its predecessor, Resident Evil Village. The article also touches on messages from union workers to game industry executives regarding labor relations.
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.
SAG-AFTRA issues "do not work" orders against Mega Man: Dual Override
SAG-AFTRA has issued a "do not work" order against Capcom's upcoming game, Mega Man: Dual Override, after voice actor Ben Diskin stated he would not return to the role without union contract protections. Diskin cited concerns over AI usage and Capcom's refusal to unionize the project, despite SAG-AFTRA's recent tentative agreement following an 11-month strike. This action advises union members against providing any services for the production, which is slated for a 2027 release.
