Activision Blizzard Refuses to Recognize Raven Software QA Union

First Union Formed at Major US Gaming Company Faces Resistance

Quality assurance testers at Raven Software, a division of Activision Blizzard, recently established the first labor union within a significant U.S. gaming organization, representing their 34-member team. However, the gaming corporation – currently awaiting a $67.8 billion acquisition by Microsoft – has declared it will not voluntarily acknowledge the union’s formation.

Union Election Required

Consequently, the newly established Game Workers Alliance is now obligated to submit a petition to the National Labor Relations Board to initiate a union election. The union, collaborating with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), issued a response to this development.

Onah Rongstad, a unit member, indicated last week to TechCrunch that the union possessed strong confidence in securing victory in the election, given the supermajority support within the Raven Software quality assurance team. Despite this, Activision Blizzard maintains that “all employees at Raven should participate in the decision-making process.” This expands the potential electorate to approximately 350 individuals.

Activision Blizzard's Stance

The company articulated its position in a statement provided to TechCrunch, asserting that direct communication between management and team members facilitates swift responses and optimal outcomes for employees. They highlighted improvements made over the past two years, including a 41% increase in minimum compensation for Raven QA employees, extended paid time off, broadened medical benefits, and the conversion of over 60% of temporary QA staff to full-time positions.

Strike and Underlying Issues

Prior to the union’s announcement, Raven Software QA testers – primarily focused on the “Call of Duty” franchise – engaged in a five-week strike, protesting the premature termination of twelve contractors, representing roughly one-third of the department.

Rongstad explained to TechCrunch that the strike followed a period of sustained overtime and highlighted a perceived lack of consideration for the vital role QA plays in the gaming industry.

Broader Concerns at Activision Blizzard

This situation represents only a fraction of the challenges faced by employees across Activision Blizzard, a company employing around 10,000 people. Reports suggest that CEO Bobby Kotick was aware of allegations of sexual misconduct and rape within the company for years, yet failed to take action. Rumors persist regarding Kotick’s potential departure amidst ongoing SEC investigations and sexual harassment scandals, though this may be contingent upon the completion of the Microsoft acquisition in 2023.

Workplace Culture Under Scrutiny

However, systemic problems extend beyond a single executive. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard in July, following a two-year investigation, alleging a “‘frat boy’ workplace culture” that fostered harassment and discrimination against women.

The Role of Unions

Unions can provide workers with crucial safeguards in various scenarios, including protection against workplace harassment and assurance of severance pay during unexpected layoffs. The CWA believes Activision Blizzard is utilizing tactics to “obstruct Raven QA workers’ exercise of their right to organize.”

Just three days after the union announcement, Activision Blizzard revealed plans to restructure Raven Software QA to align it with practices at other Activision studios, as relayed by the CWA.

The CWA stated that management’s use of terms like “alignment,” “synergy,” and “reorganization” signals a lack of worker input and reinforces power imbalances. They argue that large tech mergers, such as Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, require thorough oversight, particularly when companies impede workers’ legally protected rights.

Company Response to Restructuring Plans

Activision Publishing informed TechCrunch that the restructuring had been under consideration for several months.

The company stated that the organizational update, initiated in November, will integrate Quality Assurance teams directly with Animation, Art, Design, Audio, Production, and Engineering teams within Raven. This change aims to enhance collaboration and strengthen opportunities for QA staff, aligning Raven with best practices across Activision studios and integrating QA more deeply into the development process.

Microsoft Acquisition and Future Outlook

Despite ongoing internal activism at Activision Blizzard, Rongstad affirmed that the pending Microsoft acquisition does not diminish workers’ commitment to creating a safer work environment. However, Microsoft’s historical stance towards worker unions is uncertain, leaving the outcome of this unionization effort unclear.

Should the election proceed, the Game Workers Alliance would become only the second recognized gaming union in North America, following the December unionization of the 13-member indie studio Vodeo Games.