Microsoft will recognize Activision Blizzard unions under labor neutrality agreement

digitaltrends.com:

Microsoft announced on Monday that it will formally recognize any unions organized by employees of Activision Blizzard after entering into a breakthrough labor neutrality agreement with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), the union said. The agreement will apply to Activision Blizzard employees 60 days after Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition closes.

In accordance with the agreement, employees will be able to join a union without interference from Microsoft, nor Activision Blizzard. Chris Shelton, president of the CWA, said that the union expressed concerns about Microsoft’s acquisition of the Call of Duty and World of Warcraft publisher given the ongoing sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), as well as its own lawsuit against the company accusing it of worker intimidation and union-busting. Now, he says the union fully supports the deal and looks forward to working with Microsoft once the deal closes.

“This agreement provides a pathway for Activision Blizzard workers to exercise their democratic rights to organize and collectively bargain after the close of the Microsoft acquisition and establishes a high-road framework for employers in the games industry,” Shelton said. “Microsoft’s binding commitments will give employees a seat at the table and ensure that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard benefits the company’s workers and the broader video game labor market.”

Microsoft and CWA created five provisions that will benefit Activision Blizzard employees. Microsoft will remain neutral when employees covered by the agreement express interest in joining a union and covered employees will be able to