500 World of Warcraft devs vote to unionise

pcgamesinsider.biz:

Around 500 members of staff working on Blizzard's World of Warcraft have voted to unionise. 

The bargaining unit – The World of Warcraft Game Makers Guild – is being formed with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and has already been recognised by Blizzard, per parent company Microsoft's labour neutrality agreement with the CWA. 

This is the first wall-to-wall union at Activision Blizzard and the largest at an Xbox studio, coming in ahead of the newly-formed bargaining unit at Bethesda. 

“What we’ve accomplished at World of Warcraft is just the beginning,"  Eric Lanham, a test analyst and member of the World of Warcraft Game Makers Guild said.  

"My colleagues and I are embarking on a quest to secure better pay, benefits, and job security through a strong union contract. We know that when workers have a protected voice, it’s a win-win for employee standards, the studio, and World of Warcraft fans looking for the best gaming experience. Through our union, we’re ready to tank any obstacles, heal any wounds, and DPS through the challenges ahead. Together, we will ensure a full tier set bonus with the inclusion of all job titles in the same union. Like the legendary heroes of Azeroth, our union is forged in the fires of perseverance and resilience, and together, we will stand strong as the Alliance and the Horde to ensure a bright future for all." 

Tom Smith, senior director of organising at CWA, added: "“The decision by workers on World of Warcraft to form a union marks a key inflection point in the broader movement for video game worker organizing industry-wide. This victory, built on years of foundation work since the launch of the Game Workers Unite movement at GDC, reflects a deeply rooted commitment to change. Unionizing one of the most successful games ever signifies the rising power of worker solidarity across the industry, from triple-A studios like SEGA and Bethesda to indie developers. What seemed impossible six years ago is now a reality, and this