The World of Warcraft development team has voted to unionise
videogameschronicle.comBlizzard’s World of Warcraft development team has voted to unionise, it’s been announced.
Over 500 members of the team have joined the Communications Workers of America and Microsoft subsidiary Blizzard Entertainment has recognised their union.
The World of Warcraft Game Makers Guild becomes the first wall-to-wall union at Activision Blizzard and the largest at a Microsoft-owned studio.
“What we’ve accomplished at World of Warcraft is just the beginning,” said Eric Lanham, test analyst and member of the World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild. “My colleagues and I are embarking on a quest to secure better pay, benefits, and job security through a strong union contract.
“We know that when workers have a protected voice, it’s a win-win for employee standards, the studio, and World of Warcraft fans looking for the best gaming experience.
“Through our union, we’re ready to tank any obstacles, heal any wounds, and DPS through the challenges ahead. Together, we will ensure a full tier set bonus with the inclusion of all job titles in the same union.”
A spokesperson for Microsoft told Variety: “We continue to support our employees’ right to choose how they are represented in the workplace, and we will engage in good faith negotiations with the CWA as we work towards a collective bargaining agreement.”
Bethesda Game Studios last week became the first Microsoft video game studio to fully unionise under the Communication Workers of America.
The union was formed after 241 developers either signed a union authorisation card or indicated that they wanted union representation via an online portal.
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