Raven Software Workers Form A Union, A First In The North American Triple A Games Space

thegamer.com:

Raven Software QA workers - who are now on their fifth week of strikes - have formed a union. They're calling for voluntary recognition, which would make them the first union in a major game company in North America.

The news comes just days after the announcement that Microsoft is acquiring Activision Blizzard, leaving workers to worry that abuse allegations will take a backseat during the transition - or be forgotten entirely. Raven workers were already on strike before the merger was revealed, and today's news puts their demands back in the conversation.

Related: Microsoft Needs To Put Workers First In The Activision Blizzard Takeover

The union, named the Game Workers Alliance, has already shared some of its aims on Twitter. The workers are calling for an end to the practice of "crunch", as well as more equity, diversity, and transparency with decision making.

The mission statement has a particular focus on QA workers, who are routinely mistreated throughout the entire industry. Many of them are hired through precarious temporary contracts, despite being given the workload of permanent members of staff. They are reportedly promised full contracts, before being laid off without warning. It was this action that triggered Raven workers' recent walkout, as 12 QA testers were laid off just before the holiday season.

This is a developing story.

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Rhiannon is the Lead News Editor at TheGamer, and can often be spotted preaching the good word about Dragon Age: Origins. Which is the best game, in case you didn't know.