Labor Union
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"It's a new day at Blizzard": Union wins historic contract protecting 1,900 World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and more workers as Microsoft plans another 1,600 layoffs
Blizzard Entertainment union members, represented by the CWA, have secured a new contract covering 1,900 workers across titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. The agreement includes strong protections against layoffs and mandates negotiation over the use of AI in game development. This comes as parent company Microsoft plans further layoffs across Xbox.
Nearly two thousand Blizzard developers secure a union contract that includes AI safeguards and layoff protection
Nearly two thousand unionized Blizzard Entertainment developers, represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), have secured a new contract. This agreement includes wage increases, a hybrid work week, and significant protections regarding layoffs and the use of artificial intelligence in development. CWA president Claude Cummings Jr. lauded the contract as a new industry standard.
The California Teamsters union is suing the state over self-driving trucks
The California Teamsters union has filed a lawsuit against the state, citing concerns that new regulations for self-driving trucks could lead to job losses for approximately 400,000 individuals.
Bethesda union slams Xbox for offering the 'bare legal minimum in terms of severance'
Unionized employees at Bethesda Montreal, represented by OneBGS, have criticized Microsoft and Xbox for offering the minimum legal severance to laid-off workers. Despite initial assurances of employment until September 2026, affected Canadian employees received termination letters stating they would receive only eight weeks' pay in lieu of notice and immediate loss of benefits. The union vows to fight for better terms for its members.
22 trade union leaders have signed a letter joining the call for GTA 6 developer Rockstar to recognise the IWGB Game Workers union
Twenty-two trade union leaders have signed a letter urging Rockstar Games to recognize the IWGB Game Workers union. The letter, addressed to studio director Jennifer Kolbe and head of HR Rob Spampinato, emphasizes the right of all workers to unionize and calls on Rockstar to begin bargaining with the IWGB. This action follows reports of alleged crunch, a widening gender pay gap, and union-busting tactics at the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer.
"We mean business" - Bethesda union members to march in protest of sweeping Xbox job cuts
Bethesda Game Studios union members are planning protests against recent layoffs impacting Microsoft's Xbox division. The union criticizes Microsoft's framing of the cuts and asserts their legal right to bargain over the impact of these layoffs, demanding preferential transfers, stronger severance, and recall rights for affected workers. The layoffs have reportedly caused plummeting morale and may significantly affect the development of The Elder Scrolls 6.
'We mean business:' Xbox union workers fighting back with 'Save Our Devs' rally on July 15
Unionized workers at Bethesda Game Studios, under the OneBGS banner, are organizing a 'Save Our Devs' rally on July 15 to protest recent mass layoffs across Xbox and ZeniMax studios. The union aims to negotiate preferential transfers, stronger severance packages, and recall rights for affected employees, rejecting Microsoft's framing of the cuts as an 'entrepreneurial change'.
'Used, abused, and discarded:' CWA Canada slams Microsoft over handling of Bethesda layoffs
CWA Canada has criticized Microsoft and Bethesda Game Studios over recent layoffs affecting unionized employees at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal. Union president Carmel Smyth stated that around a dozen employees, some with up to a decade of service, were informed of their termination via a brief video call. The union plans to pursue bargaining for severance, internal placement, and recall rights for affected workers.
GTA 6 Developers Ask Rockstar for Union Recognition — and They're Prepared to Go to the UK Government if Necessary
Developers at Rockstar Games have applied for voluntary recognition of the IWGB Game Workers Union. This move aims to make the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer the second UK games studio to have a recognized union, with potential escalation to the UK government if necessary.
GTA 6 developers at Rockstar Games pushing to pursue official union recognition following 2025 sackings: "The union is now stronger than ever"
Employees at Rockstar Games are actively working with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain to secure union recognition before the November release of Grand Theft Auto 6. This follows previous efforts to establish the Rockstar Game Workers Union and a ruling against the company's request to remove blacklisting claims from a legal process. The union hopes for voluntary recognition but is prepared to consider a strike if necessary.
United Wizards of the Coast Union Has Officially Been Formed
Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena have officially formed the United Wizards of the Coast union, affiliated with the Communication Workers Association. The union, established with a majority vote from 79 out of 102 employees, aims to negotiate collective bargaining agreements covering layoff protections, remote work, workload sustainability, and AI tool guidelines. Wizards of the Coast has stated they will engage in good faith negotiations.
French union STJV to commence national strike outside Quantic Dream
French labor union STJV is organizing a national strike on June 25, 2026, to protest widespread layoffs in the video game industry, particularly at companies like Ubisoft and Quantic Dream. The strike will begin with a picket outside Quantic Dream's Paris office, as the developer is reportedly planning to cut around 115 jobs. The union criticizes mismanagement, poor working conditions, and calls for government oversight on subsidies.
Rockstar Game Workers Union formed by UK-based employees
Employees at Rockstar Games in the UK have formed a labor union, affiliating with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. This move signifies a growing trend of unionization within the video game industry.
"We're determined to win justice for the 31 fired workers" - Rockstar Games workers publicly launch union, as legal battle with the GTA 6 maker rages on
Workers at Rockstar Games have publicly launched the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). This move follows the dismissal of 31 employees in October, which the union and others have labeled as union busting, leading to protests and legal action. The RGWU is also advocating for pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch culture.
6 months before the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar employees in the UK have formed a union
Rockstar Games employees in the UK have formed the Rockstar Game Workers Union, affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. This development follows alleged firings of employees attempting to unionize in October 2025, which Rockstar denied. The union aims to address issues like pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch, while also seeking justice for the dismissed workers.
Workers for Xbox studio Double Fine are forming a union
Workers at Xbox studio Double Fine, known for the Psychonauts series, are forming a labor union. The employees are organizing with the Communications Workers of America.
Magic: The Gathering Arena developers intend to form a union with the CWA
Developers at Wizards of the Coast, makers of Magic: The Gathering Arena, are organizing to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union has filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, citing concerns over layoffs, wages, remote work policies, and workplace transparency. This effort follows similar unionization drives within the broader video game industry.