Warzone QA testers have ended strike action amid unionisation plans

videogameschronicle.com:

A group of quality assurance testers at Call of Duty Warzone developer Raven Software has ceased strike action in light of plans to form a union.

Employees had been striking since early December in protest of plans to downsize the studio’s QA department.

But after announcing their intention to unionise with the Communication Workers of America, the testers have returned to work.

The 34-strong group, called the Game Workers Alliance, has asked parent company Activision Blizzard to recognise the union, which would be the first ever at a major North American game development studio.

“Pending the recognition of our union, the Raven QA strike has ended,” the group said. “Unused strike funds are being stored for future organizing/strike efforts.”

In a statement provided to Reuters, Activision Blizzard said it was “carefully reviewing” the request for voluntary recognition.

“While we believe that a direct relationship between the company and its team members delivers the strongest workforce opportunities, we deeply respect the rights of all employees under the law to make their own decisions about whether or not to join a union,” it said.

Should Activision Blizzard not voluntarily recognise the union, workers will seek to have the union certified through an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.

Activision recently delayed Call of Duty Vanguard and Warzone Pacific Season 2 due to ongoing issues with the games and 2019’s Modern Warfare.