Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Madison Area Workers at Activision Blizzard-run Raven Software Launch New Union with the Communications Workers of America

Madison Area Workers at Activision Blizzard-run Raven Software Launch New Union with the Communications Workers of America

 

Members of the Game Workers Alliance Union (CWA) call on Raven Software to voluntarily recognize union

 

On January 21, over 30 quality assurance workers at Activision Blizzard-run Raven Software in Madison, Wisconsin announced the launch of the Game Workers Alliance Union with the Communications Workers of America. Workers in Raven’s quality assurance department, who mainly work on the game Call of Duty, are calling for voluntary recognition of their union from Activision Blizzard management. Raven Software is among the Activision Blizzard-owned studios set to be acquired by Microsoft for nearly $69 billion.

 

“We proudly stand in solidarity with the members of the Game Workers Alliance Union (CWA) at Raven Software in Madison as they call for voluntary union recognition,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “Today marks a historic step in the movement to create positive change and build a better gaming industry for the workers who make video games. Quality assurance workers at Raven are joining together for a seat at the table. Giving gaming workers a real voice with the power of collective bargaining is the surest way to address workplace needs and advance the industry as a whole for working people.”

Raven Quality Assurance Workers Become First Activision Blizzard Workers to Form a Union with Launch of the Game Workers Alliance with Communications Workers of America

Middleton, Wisconsin — Today workers at Raven Software, a video game studio under Activision Blizzard, announced the launch of their union, Game Workers Alliance Union (CWA), with Communications Workers of America. Workers at Raven’s quality assurance department requested voluntary recognition from Activision Blizzard management in alignment with the desire of a supermajority of their workforce. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) is the first unit within Activision Blizzard to form a union. Microsoft recently announced plans to acquire the company.

“Today, I am proud to join with a supermajority of my fellow workers to build our union, Game Workers Alliance (CWA). In the video game industry, specifically Raven QA, people are passionate about their jobs and the content they are creating. We want to make sure that the passion from these workers is accurately reflected in our workplace and the content we make. Our union is how our collective voices can be heard by leadership,” said Becka Aigner, QA functional tester II at Raven.

Since its founding in 1990, Raven Software has become one of the most exclusive video game companies. The studio, which was acquired by Activision Blizzard in 1997, is responsible for the Call of Duty series, which the Raven QA team predominantly works on.

“We formed the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) because my colleagues and I want to have our voices heard and we want to see changes that reflect the wants and needs of both the gaming community and the workers who create these incredible products. It’s extremely important that workers have a real seat at the table to positively shape the company going forward,” said Brent Reel, QA Lead at Raven.

The Game Workers Alliance (CWA) launch came on the heels of Raven QA workers entering week five of their strike. The strike began December 6, when over 60 Raven Software workers walked out in protest after Activision Blizzard laid off 12 of the studio’s quality assurance testers. The Raven QA strike was the third work stoppage since Activision Blizzard was sued in late July over sexual harassment and misconduct claims.

“Raven QA workers are taking an important next step toward improving their working conditions by joining together in a union, and we are excited to be supporting their efforts. We ask that Activision Blizzard management respect Raven QA workers by voluntarily recognizing CWA's representation without hesitation," said Communications Workers of America Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. "A collective bargaining agreement will give Raven QA employees a voice at work, improving the games they produce and making the company stronger. Voluntary recognition is the rational way forward.”

Instead of collaborating with workers organizing to improve workplace conditions, Activision Blizzard has used surveillance and intimidation tactics, including hiring notorious union busters, to silence workers. Still, members of Game Workers Alliance (CWA) are hopeful Activision Blizzard management will come to the table and formally recognize the union.

“Our union will help inform what is best for Activision Blizzard as a company, as a platform for gamers and a workplace where all workers can thrive. The goal of the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) is to represent what we as workers in the industry want as well as set a new standard for workers across the industry moving forward,” said Erin Hall, QA functional tester II at Raven.

Game Workers Alliance (CWA) will provide a structure so that workers can actively push for real changes at the company to ensure just working conditions, wages, benefits and transparency on the job without fear of retaliation.

Breaking New Ground: Raven Workers Launch Video Game Union

Workers at Raven Software’s quality assurance (QA) department in Madison, WI today launched their new union, the Game Workers Alliance Union, with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). They are seeking voluntary recognition from their employer as a supermajority of workers express their desire to form a union at the studio owned by video game giant Activision Blizzard. These video game employees mostly work on the popular Call of Duty series.

“Today, I am proud to join with a supermajority of my fellow workers to build our union, Game Workers Alliance (CWA). In the video game industry, specifically Raven QA, people are passionate about their jobs and the content they are creating,” said Becka Aigner, QA functional tester II at Raven. “We want to make sure that the passion from these workers is accurately reflected in our workplace and the content we make. Our union is how our collective voices can be heard by leadership.”

On Dec. 6, more than 60 Raven workers walked out in protest after Activision Blizzard laid off 12 of the studio’s QA testers. The Raven QA strike was the third work stoppage since Activision Blizzard was sued in late July over sexual harassment and misconduct claims. Earlier this week, CWA responded to Microsoft’s plan to acquire Activision Blizzard and called for workers’ voices to be heard in the future direction of the company.

One Year After Biden’s Inauguration, AFL-CIO Celebrates Advances for Working People

Union members across the country went all out during the 2020 campaign to elect a pro-worker president to the White House. And over the past year, the Biden–Harris administration has been delivering for America’s workers. From the passage of the American Rescue Plan to the enactment of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the labor movement has made real progress working in partnership with this administration.

Here are just some of the other advances we’ve achieved in the last year:

• President Biden fired the anti-worker National Labor Relations Board general counsel and installed a pro-worker majority on the board.

• Union member Marty Walsh (LIUNA) was appointed to serve as secretary of labor.

• The Biden–Harris administration created the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.

• President Biden used his bully pulpit to advance the causes of the labor movement, including calling for passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, supporting workers’ right to organize at Amazon and calling out Kellogg’s corporate greed during an active strike.

• More of President Biden’s lower court judicial nominees were confirmed in his first year than any president since John Kennedy.

• President Biden appointed more Black women to the U.S. Court of Appeals than any president in history.

As we look to the future, our sights are set on passing the Build Back Better Act, reforming America’s outdated labor laws, and protecting our basic rights and freedoms. Our job is far from over, and we’re ready to continue making progress for all working people in this country.