Microsoft agrees to stay neutral as ZeniMax Studios employees decide on unionization, following the labour agreement with CWA.
 |
| Employees of ZeniMax secure unionization rights under Microsoft's neutrality deal with CWA, promoting better working conditions. |
In a significant development for the video game industry, workers at ZeniMax Studios are now included under Microsoft's labour neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This move ensures that all ZeniMax employees can freely decide on collective bargaining without any influence from Microsoft, which is legally bound to remain neutral in the unionization process.
Page Branson, a member of ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, "Thousands of our ZeniMax co-workers now have a free and fair path to organise together for better working conditions. When we organised our union under a similar legal agreement, the process was clear, and management did not try to influence anyone’s decision. There is strength in numbers, and as our numbers grow at ZeniMax, at Microsoft, and in the video game industry, we will gain the respect we deserve and raise the standards of working conditions for everyone across the video gaming industry."
This announcement comes shortly after Microsoft closed four ZeniMax-owned studios, including Arkane Austin in the United States. Despite these closures, Microsoft has maintained its commitment to supporting employees' rights to choose their workplace representation.
Microsoft and the CWA entered into the labour neutrality agreement in July 2022 amid the pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Following the completion of the deal, Microsoft reiterated its commitment to this agreement in October 2023, expressing steadfast support for employees' choices regarding workplace representation.
The unionization efforts at ZeniMax saw a significant milestone in January 2023 when 300 QA developers across ZeniMax's US operations voted in favor of creating ZeniMax Workers United. This development is seen as a positive step towards improving working conditions within the video game industry, benefiting both employees and the overall stability of the industry.