Microsoft reaches ‘ground-breaking agreement’ with union representing game workers

The Communications Workers of America, the parent organization of the Game Workers Alliance union, has entered into a “labor neutrality agreement (opens in new tab)” with Microsoft over unionizing workers at Activision Blizzard. The “ground-breaking agreement,” which will take effect 60 days after Microsoft completes its acquisition of the studio, “reflects a fundamental belief by both organizations that enabling workers to freely and fairly make a choice about union representation will benefit Microsoft and its employees.”

The deal between Microsoft and the CWA is built around five “basic provisions”:

• Microsoft will take a neutral approach with Activision Blizzard employees who express interest in joining a union.
• Employees covered by the agreement will be able to talk with each other and union representatives without hassles or headaches.
• Employees will have access to a streamlined process for deciding whether or not they want to join a union.
• Employees can choose to keep their decision about whether or not to join a union confidential.
• If there is a disagreement between the CWA and Microsoft, they will negotiate “promptly” to resolve it, and move to “expedited arbitration” if they cannot.