Activision Blizzard employees create third worker union

Activision Blizzard is a company that created a bad reputation for itself over the years for creating hostile working conditions. During Bobby Kotick’s tenure as CEO of the company, multiple lawsuits and accusations have come to the public light.

In that context, two of the company’s studios have previously decided to unionize to fight for their rights. Now, a third Activision Blizzard studio comes in to create a union and present their grievances to the company, taking advantage of the conflict to get on Microsoft’s side.

The third Activision Blizzard syndicate

Proletariat workers are the third group of Activision Blizzard workers to file for a union representation election with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The 57 unionized workers include animators, designers, engineers, producers, and quality control workers.

Proletariat software engineer Dustin Yost said:

“Everyone in the video game industry knows Activision Blizzard’s reputation for creating a hostile work environment, so earlier this year, 2022, when we heard that Blizzard planned to acquire Proletariat, we began discussing how we could protect the great culture we’ve created here.”

“By forming a union and negotiating a contract, we can ensure that we can continue to do our best work and create innovative experiences at the frontier of game development.”

After announcing the union by the Proletariat Workers Alliance, the workers communicated what they wanted to receive; specifically, a more flexible paid time off (PTO) policy, clearer communication, increased opportunities, and transparency in accountability.

Union sides with Microsoft

After mentioning all the changes they want to see implemented in their company, Activision Blizzard’s third union has communicated that they should follow Microsoft’s example regarding the treatment of their unions.

For example, Microsoft allows the creation of unions and greater freedom of expression, while Activision Blizzard is the opposite — doing everything it can to oust unions that have been formed.

That said, Blizzard’s attempts to prevent its workers from joining unions seem to be a waste of time and money and, in turn, create a toxic and hostile work environment. However, maybe it’s not too late for Activision Blizzard to change its mind and follow Microsoft’s lead.

Objectives as described by the Proletariat Workers Alliance

Goals described by the Proletariat Workers Alliance include preserving progressive benefits that prioritize humans:

• Flexible PTO policy
• Remote work with a permanent option
• Robust healthcare
• A prosperous salary
• Clear, equitable resourcing processes that allow for professional development
• No mandatory overtime

Games producer at Proletariat, James Van Nuland, said:

“At Proletariat, we have always emphasized taking care of each other as people, and we are committed to preserving the best of our studio. We are in this together.”

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor added:

“It’s time for Activision Blizzard to abandon its playbook of delay and illegal interference and respect the right of Proletariat workers to vote for union representation and negotiate a contract.”

Header: Activision