Raven Software QA workers to petition NLRB for union vote
34 Raven Software QA workers unionizing under the banner Game Workers United are filing a petition for a union vote with the National Labor Relations Board after Activision Blizzard failed to respond to their unionization request by their initial deadline of 6PM EST today.
Organizers told Washington Post gaming vertical Launcher that they have a "supermajority" of votes within their department, which in theory means they can unionize without recognition from Activision Blizzard Management. If the vote turns out in their favor, a simple 50 percent + 1 majority would mean that Activision Blizzard would need to negotiate with the union in good faith.
(As would prospective future parent company Microsoft, if its acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a success).
Raven Software QA employees returning from their impromptu strike were told this week that their department is being reorganized to insert QA testers into other departments. It's unclear if this would impact how the NLRB views the organizing workers.
We've reached out to Activision Blizzard for comment on this development, and will update this story when the company responds.
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