Tech is notoriously anti-union. Microsoft is taking a different approach — neutrality

polygon.com:

The technology industry has long been anti-union — not because workers aren’t interested in organizing, but because big companies have always been interested in spending money to shut unions down.

Amazon, Google, and Apple have all been accused of union-busting within the past year alone, allegedly spending lots of money dissuading workers from organizing. This hostility extends to the video game industry, too. Both Activision Blizzard and Nintendo had National Labor Relations Board charges filed against them in 2022, with both companies alleged to have engaged in retaliation against organizing workers, among other claims.

Microsoft, currently looking to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for approval on a $68.7 purchase of Activision Blizzard, appears to be taking a different approach: neutrality. On Monday, Microsoft and the Communication Workers of America (CWA) jointly announced that they’ve entered into what’s called a labor neutrality agreement, which is basically a contract in which Microsoft agrees in writing that it won’t deter union efforts. Should the Activision Blizzard deal go through, the agreement will go into effect 60 days after the acquisition closes. It’s building off a promise Microsoft made last week — that it won’t interfere Raven Software’s new union.

First, Microsoft will take a neutral approach when employees covered by the agreement express interest in joining a union. Second, covered employees will be able to easily exercise their right to communicate with other employees and union representatives about union membership in a way that encourages information sharing and avoids business disruptions. Third, employees will have access to an innovative technology-supported and streamlined process for