Activision Blizzard-Owned Studio Raven Software’s Workers Say They Have Formed Union
A group of employees at an Activision Blizzard studio that works on the Call of Duty franchise said on Friday that they had formed a union and would seek voluntary recognition from the company, signalling organized labour's first foothold at the video game giant.
The union, supported by the Communications Workers of America, represents 34 people in the quality assurance department at Raven Software.
Activision said it was considering the matter. Workers could also seek to hold an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Activision's stock has been battered in recent months as the company faces multiple accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct, and on Tuesday Microsoft announced plans to acquire the company.
As criticism of Activision Blizzard's culture has mounted in recent months, workers have banded together to influence the company's future, including staging a walkout and circulating a petition calling for the removal of Chief Executive Bobby Kotick.
Unionization has emerged as a goal for some, and workers in other parts of Activision Blizzard are also signing union cards, said Jessica Gonzalez, a former Activision employee, as well as a current employee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"I hope that we are able to serve as inspiration and to help guide other parts of Activision Blizzard ... that want to follow in our footsteps," said Onah Rongstad, a quality assurance tester at Raven.
Activision Blizzard said in a statement that it is "carefully reviewing" the request for voluntary recognition.
"While we believe that a direct relationship between the company and its team members delivers the strongest workforce opportunities, we deeply respect the rights of all employees under the
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