Epic Games' Bandcamp Has Unionized

thegamer.com:

Fortnite and Unreal developer Epic Games now has a union. Bandcamp, the music distribution platform aimed at bringing artists to the world, has formed Epic's first union after holding a successful union vote.

"Today, a majority of eligible Bandcamp workers voted 31-7 in favor of forming Bandcamp United, a union represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU)," the new union wrote in a statement. "The vote results now await certification by the National Labor Relations Board, with a collective bargaining process to follow."

Related: Epic Games Buying Bandcamp Is Another Death For The Independent Internet

Epic Games purchased Bandcamp in March 2022, a partnership explained by Epic and Bandcamp's ideology for bringing media to the masses. However, it seems discontent had been brewing at Bandcamp for some time. A year later, Bandcamp employees formed Bandcamp United and announced plans to become an official union, citing a lack of paid time off and low salaries that weren't keeping up with the increased cost of living.

As is often the case with unionization in the tech industry, Bandcamp United soon accused Epic Games and Bandcamp CEO Ethan Diamond of employing union-busting tactics. Kotaku reporter Ethan Gach reported Epic's hiring of the law firm Foley & Lardner and their attempts to delay Bandcamp United's unionization vote and contest who that vote could include. It seems their efforts were unsuccessful as Bandcamp United will soon represent all Bandcamp employees in the US across all departments.

"Bandcamp United and Bandcamp management are committed to working together to continue to advance fair economic conditions for our workers and the artists who rely on us," the Union added.