Advertisement
The video game industry has experienced significant growth, with Activision’s nearly 600 software testers forming the largest organization in the industry. The milestone is part of a new business deal made after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in October for $69 billion, making the tech company’s largest acquisition to date.
Under the terms of the agreement, which will come into force when completed, Microsoft has pledged to remain neutral among workers who want to join the union when the management of its contract with Activision is reviewed by management. The agreement also requires employees to have adequate communication and information when making union membership decisions.
Microsoft spokeswoman Amy Pannoni said, “We remain committed to impartiality during the campaign and following this vote,” confirming the department relied on the company’s interim employment agreement.
The newly formed organization, called Activision Quality Assurance United-CWA, aims to solve problems related to wages and career advancement opportunities, according to QA tester Kara Fannon. The union represents workers in Activision’s quality assurance program in California, Texas and Minnesota and is affiliated with the Communications Workers of the United States.
“CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. spoke of Microsoft’s commitment to letting employees make the decision to organize themselves,” on the company’s position on labor.
Employment in the tech sector is on the rise, especially at a time when major tech companies face increasing scrutiny over employee protection. Activision’s quality assurance staff, who are responsible for detecting defects and errors in the game, emphasized the need to improve the protection function, noting differences in recognition and compensation compared to software engineers or developers.
QA staff at Activision’s Albany branch also unionized before the Microsoft shutdown and after the Activision deal, signaling expanding unionization in the industry.
Albany said in a social media post that “QA is currently a neglected discipline in the gaming and software industry,” emphasizing the importance of creating a work environment where QA staff are respected and supported to create a fair budget. Critical contributions to the process.
The Activision QA event represents an important moment for the video game industry and highlights the importance of workers’ rights and worker protection in the technology industry. With the support of Communications Workers of America, Activision QA employees are ready to advocate for fair wages, better working conditions, and greater recognition of their contributions to the gaming industry.