ZeniMax Workers United is the biggest union of game workers in North America.
ZeniMax Workers United and the Communications Workers of America have won the vote for unionization becoming Microsoft's first US labor union and the largest one in the gaming industry of North America with around 300 QA developers.
True to its word, Microsoft has already recognized the union, according to the group.
"Microsoft has lived up to its commitment to its workers and let them decide for themselves whether they want a union," CWA president Chris Shelton said (via GamesIndustry.biz). "Other video game and tech giants have made a conscious choice to attack, undermine, and demoralize their own employees when they join together to form a union. Microsoft is charting a different course which will strengthen its corporate culture and ability to serve its customers and should serve as a model for the industry and as a blueprint for regulators."
Following Raven Software and Blizzard Albany, ZeniMax Workers United and the CWA announced their decision in December. Microsoft's neutrality might potentially affect Activision Blizzard's QA workers favorably and make the union even bigger if the companies' merger goes through. The movement keeps growing, and last week, Spellbreak developer Proletariat, acquired by Blizzard in summer, also announced its intention to unionize.
"Before us is an opportunity to make big changes and bring equity to the video game industry," said Zenimax Online Studios senior QA audio tester Victoria Banos. "We want to put an end to sudden periods of crunch, unfair pay, and lack of growth opportunities within the company. Our union will push for truly competitive pay, better communication between management and workers, a clear path for those that want to progress their career, and more."
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