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Several studios have seen significant unionization efforts, with the biggest being the Activision subsidiary Raven Software, whose QA team voted to unionize only a few days ago.
The vote itself was a significant victory for Raven Software employees and a small one for America’s much larger union movement. However, that’s not the only good news for the fledgling union, known as the Game Workers Alliance. Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed that the company will recognize the union once Microsoft completes its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Spencer’s remarks came during an all-hands on deck meeting earlier today. Spencer had commented on his lack of experience with unions during a similar conference a year and a half ago. However, he claimed to have educated himself on the topic during the intervening period and stated that Xbox supports workers’ rights to organize. “Once the deal closes,” said Spencer, “we would absolutely support [an] employees’ organization that’s in place. We think it is a right of employees and something that can be a part of a relationship between a company and people who work at the company.” While Microsoft previously stated it has no objection to Raven’s union, this is the first time the company expressed an intent to recognize it officially.
The vote itself was a significant victory for Raven Software employees and a small one for America’s much larger union movement. However, that’s not the only good news for the fledgling union, known as the Game Workers Alliance. Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed that the company will recognize the union once Microsoft completes its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Spencer’s remarks came during an all-hands on deck meeting earlier today. Spencer had commented on his lack of experience with unions during a similar conference a year and a half ago. However, he claimed to have educated himself on the topic during the intervening period and stated that Xbox supports workers’ rights to organize. “Once the deal closes,” said Spencer, “we would absolutely support [an] employees’ organization that’s in place. We think it is a right of employees and something that can be a part of a relationship between a company and people who work at the company.” While Microsoft previously stated it has no objection to Raven’s union, this is the first time the company expressed an intent to recognize it officially.
