Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
Latest coverage
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.
Double Fine has filed a petition to unionize in conjunction with Communications Workers of America
Double 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 unionizing
First-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.
STJV union strikes at Kylotonn as Nacon moves WRC license and layoffs loom
The French video game union STJV has initiated strikes at Nacon subsidiary Kylotonn, anticipating significant layoffs and a judicial reorganization. Nacon is reportedly moving the WRC license to a new studio, Grit Games, composed of former Kylotonn employees, which the union alleges is an attempt to shed unionized workers. This follows the closure of another Nacon studio, Spiders, amidst the publisher's financial difficulties.
AI Yi-Yi!
Google DeepMind employees have voted to unionize, citing concerns over military AI deals. This move follows reports of Google Chrome silently pushing a 4GB AI model to devices without user consent.
Business and Finance
MindsEye, the studio behind the game rated as the worst for 2025, has been affected by new mass layoffs. Separately, Wizards of the Coast and its parent company Hasbro missed a deadline to voluntarily recognize a workers' union.
Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro miss deadline to voluntarily recognise workers' union
Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro missed the May 1 deadline to voluntarily recognize the union formed by Magic: The Gathering Arena developers, UWOTC-CWA. The union expressed disappointment but remains committed to collective bargaining, citing concerns about layoffs, remote work, AI, and transparency. They are urging continued player support until an election petition filed with the National Labor Relations Board is resolved.
