Raven Software QA workers claim Activision Blizzard wants to 'thwart' unionization efforts
A group of Raven Software QA workers are pushing ahead with their attempts to unionize under the Game Workers Alliance (GWA) banner, but some union reps believe parent company Activision Blizzard is employing union-busting tactics to frustrate those seeking to organize.
As reported by Polygon, Activision Blizzard and Raven QA staff have been participating in a National Labor Review Board (NLRB) hearing that aims to define which employees can be included in the QA unit, while also determining who can vote for or against the union. The NLRB hearing will also set a date for the unionization vote.
The GWA union, formed with the help of the Communication Workers of America (CWA), is arguing that only QA testers and leads at Raven Software should be eligible for unionization. Activision Blizzard, however, claims that "all employees at Raven should have a say in this decision" and must therefore be able to vote.
The issue with those conflicting stances is rooted in Activision Blizzard's recent reorganization efforts, which resulted in some Raven QA staff being embedded into different teams across the company, including art, design, engineering, and audio. The timing of that reshuffle raised eyebrows internally, and the CWA suggested the move was designed to divide the union, dilute the vote, and "thwart Raven QA workers who are exercising their right to organize."
The NLRB hearing will ultimately determine whether that internal reshuffle reclassifies QA workers, redefining who's eligible for union membership. At this stage, it's worth remembering that a majority vote must be obtained for Game Workers Unite to be officially recognized, so any eligibility changes could be decisive.
After the first day of the hearing, a CWA
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