Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Blog

Video Game Workers in Madison Win Union Rights!

Video game workers who work at Activision Blizzard-owned Raven Software in Madison have won their NLRB union election in a landslide! Quality assurance testers have come together as the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) to become the first union at a major video game maker and just the second video game union in the United States.

"Five months ago, we formed the Game Workers Alliance-CWA on the principles of solidarity, sustainability, transparency, equity, and diversity,” said members of the Game Workers Alliance. “Management at Activision Blizzard worked tirelessly to undermine our efforts to establish our union, but we persevered. Our biggest hope is that our union serves as inspiration for the growing movement of workers organizing at video game studios to create better games and build workplaces that reflect our values and empower all of us. We look forward to working with management to positively shape our working conditions and the future of Activision Blizzard through a strong union contract.”

Wisconsin workers are leading the charge for worker rights and strong union contracts in the video game industry and beyond.

“Congratulations to the members of the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union who have stood strong against fierce union-busting to organize their workplace and make history by becoming the first union in the video game industry in Wisconsin and just the second union in the video game industry in the United States,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. “Wisconsin workers continue to say ‘union yes’ as a historic wave of union organizing sweeps our nation. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) members are determined and united in their demand for sustainability, transparency, diversity and equity in the video gaming industry. The multibillion-dollar video gaming industry is built on workers putting in long, grueling hours for little pay. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union members at Raven Software have come together to demand a seat at the table to secure improvements that will help all workers in this industry. We call on Activision Blizzard and Raven Software to come to the table in good faith and negotiate a first union contract with Game Workers Alliance (CWA) members.”

Congratulations to Game Workers Alliance members. Onwards to a strong first contract!

 

Game Workers Alliance Members at Raven Software Win Historic Union Vote

Quality Assurance testers who work on the game Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard-owned Raven Software in Madison win union election, becoming second video game union in the nation

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement on this afternoon’s NLRB election results finding the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union members at Raven Software have won their union vote with 86% of the vote. 

“Congratulations to the members of the Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union who have stood strong against fierce union-busting to organize their workplace and make history by becoming the first union in the video game industry in Wisconsin and just the second union in the video game industry in the United States. Wisconsin workers continue to say ‘union yes’ as a historic wave of union organizing sweeps our nation. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) members are determined and united in their demand for sustainability, transparency, diversity and equity in the video gaming industry. The multibillion-dollar video gaming industry is built on workers putting in long, grueling hours for little pay. Game Workers Alliance (CWA) union members at Raven Software have come together to demand a seat at the table to secure improvements that will help all workers in this industry. We call on Activision Blizzard and Raven Software to come to the table in good faith and negotiate a first union contract with Game Workers Alliance (CWA) members.”

Shame on Starbucks for Firing Wisconsin Union Organizer

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement admonishing Starbucks for firing a union organizer in Plover. On May 6, Starbucks terminated Kolton Gosnell’s employment just days after workers won their union election for being at the store after hours while off the clock. Gosnell was an outspoken and public supporter of the union drive.

“Shame on Starbucks for firing union organizer Kolton Gosnell for wishing a coworker a happy birthday. The union-busting and intimidation tactics from Starbucks, a multi-billion-dollar company, is unacceptable and immoral. I recently met Kolton at an organizing rally in April and was inspired by his motivation, his spirit to organize, and his willingness to stand up for justice. The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with Kolton as he seeks reinstatement to his job. Federal law states every worker has the right to join with their coworkers to improve their workplace. Firing someone for protected union activity is unlawful. We will fight for justice for Kolton and for all Starbucks workers facing bogus firings and illegal union-busting from Starbucks.”

SMART Local 565 on strike at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie

At midnight on Friday May 6, over 105 members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 565 went on strike at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

SMART Local 565 members at Trachte make vital training centers for fire fighters and first responders and storage units that are used across the country. SMART members are on strike for flexibility and a work-life balance.

SMART Local 565 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Treasurer Jesse Buell said that SMART members are united for a fair contract. “There’s been lots of a mandatory overtime put on the workers through the pandemic,” stated Buell. “The company is looking for additional mandatory overtime language. Workers just want flexibility and to be able to spend time with family.”

Click here to sign our solidarity petition in support of striking SMART Local 565 members who work at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie.

“We send solidarity and strength to SMART members as they hold the line for a fair and just contract that allows workers to spend time with their family,” said Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale. “Like many essential workers, SMART Local 565 members worked long hours and excessive overtime to deliver for our communities. SMART Local 565 members are taking collective action to address mandatory overtime so they can spend time with their family and loved ones outside of work. Strikes are never easy, but the willingness of union members to stand together for justice and fairness at work bolsters our middle class and improves workplaces for all.”

Join SMART Local 565 members on the picket line:

Trachte Building Systems, 314 Wilburn Road, Sun Prairie, WI 53590

7 am - throughout the day

Click here to sign our solidarity petition today.

Solidarity with SMART Local 565 workers at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie

At midnight on Friday, May 6, over 105 members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 565 went on strike at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. SMART Local 565 members at Trachte make vital training centers for fire fighters and first responders and storage units that are used across the country. SMART members are on strike for flexibility and a work-life balance. 

“The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of SMART Local 565 on strike at Trachte Building Systems in Sun Prairie,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “We send solidarity and strength to SMART members as they hold the line for a fair and just contract that allows workers to spend time with their family. Like many essential workers, SMART Local 565 members worked long hours and excessive overtime to deliver for our communities. SMART Local 565 members are taking collective action to address mandatory overtime so they can spend time with their family and loved ones outside of work. Strikes are never easy, but the willingness of union members to stand together for justice and fairness at work bolsters our middle class and improves workplaces for all.” 

Solidarity with UAW Local 180 and Local 807 on Strike at CNH Industrial

On Monday May 2, over 1,000 members of the United Auto Workers Local 180 and UAW Locals 807 went on strike at CNHi (Case New Holland Industrial) in Racine, Wisconsin and Burlington, Iowa.

Workers of UAW Local 180 and 807 at CNHi produce agricultural and construction equipment including tractor loader backhoes, bulldozers and corn and auger heads. CNHi is one of the world’s largest agricultural and construction equipment makers. UAW workers at CNHi are on strike for the ability to earn a good living, retire with dignity, and establish fair work rules.

UAW Local 180 President Yasin Mahdi said that CNHi members are united to get a fair agreement that addresses the needs of working families. “Wages have not kept up with productivity,” said UAW Local 180 President Mahdi. “We are fighting for what is right -- pay parity and good wages for all with time off to see our family. COVID taught us that life moves fast. We would like to address lack of vacation time and get the excessive overtime that has become the norm under control so we can spend time with our loved ones.”

CNH Industrial reported 2022 first quarter revenues of $4.6 billion, up 13% compared to 2021.

UAW President Ray Curry noted that, “UAW CNHi members have worked through the pandemic after the company deemed them essential, to produce the equipment that feeds America, builds America and powers the American economy. They are a strong united union voice on the picket line they can make a difference for working families here and throughout the country.”

Click here to sign our solidarity petition in support of striking UAW Local 180 members in Racine and striking UAW Local 807 members in Burlington, IA.

“The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of the UAW Local 180 and UAW Local 807 on strike at CNHi,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “UAW members are holding the line to strengthen our American middle class by standing together for a good union contract that establishes fair work rules with good wages and the ability to retire with dignity. We send strength and solidarity to the striking workers and urge CNHi to negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually agreeable contract.”  

Click here to sign our solidarity petition today.

Wisconsin AFL-CIO Stands in Solidarity with UAW Workers on Strike at CNHi

At noon on May 2, 2022 over 1,000 members of the United Auto Workers went on strike at CNHi in Racine, Wisconsin and Burlington, Iowa. Over 600 members of UAW Local 180 work at CNHi in Racine. Around 400 UAW Local 807 workers work at CNHi in Burlington, Iowa. CNHi is one of the world’s largest agricultural and construction equipment makers. UAW workers at CNHi produce equipment that feeds, builds, and powers America. UAW workers are on strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity, and establish fair work rules.

“The Wisconsin labor movement proudly stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers of the UAW Local 180 and UAW Local 807 on strike at CNHi in Racine, Wisconsin and Burlington, Iowa,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “UAW members are holding the line to strengthen our American middle class by standing together for a good union contract that establishes fair work rules with good wages and the ability to retire with dignity. We send strength and solidarity to the striking workers and urge CNHi to negotiate in good faith to reach a mutually agreeable contract.”