Blizzard’s Diablo team is the latest group of Microsoft workers to form a union, with over 450 developers voting in favour of representation with the Communications Workers of America.
The decision follows mass layoffs at Microsoft back in June, with workers at the company seeking fair compensation, job security, and an opportunity to improve workplace conditions.
Other unions formed by Microsoft workers include Blizzard’s story and franchise development team, as well as employees at ZeniMax Media and Raven Software. There are now over 3,500 employees at Microsoft in CWA organised unions.
“With every subsequent round of mass layoffs, I’ve witnessed the dread in my coworkers grow stronger because it feels like no amount of hard work is enough to protect us,” said Kelly Yeo, a game producer on Diablo and organising committee member. “I am overjoyed that we have formed a union – this is just the first step for us joining a movement spreading across an industry that is tired of living in fear. We are ready to begin fighting for real change alongside our Diablo colleagues.”
The union includes developers, artists, designers, engineers, and support staff working across the Diablo franchise.
“My entire career as a developer has seen my peers and I paying the ‘passion tax’ for working in an industry that we love,” said Nav Bhatti, a senior software engineer and organising committee member. “At some point you have to choose between fight or flight, and forming a union is us doing just that – standing our ground in the industry.”
“Diablo workers are the latest to show that California has become a hub for video game worker organising,” said CWA local 9510 president Jason Justice. “What’s happening here is part of a much larger story about turning the tide in an industry that has long overlooked its labour. Entertainment workers across film, television, music, and now video games are standing together to have a seat at the table. The strength of our movement comes from that solidarity.”
Eurogamer recently spoke to members of Blizzard’s story and franchise development team about their union, discussing their demands from Microsoft.
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