Frequently Asked Questions!

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WHAT IS A UNION?
A union is a group of workers who come together to make decisions about the conditions of their work. Once we form our union, we can bargain with management about wages, work hours, benefits, workplace health and safety, and other work-related issues. The product of that negotiation is a legally binding contract that protects us and our rights. We are the union!


WHY DO WE NEED A UNION?
It is time for workers to drive the decisions that affect our lives, especially in the video game industry. 

We have faced many challenges over the years at Activision Blizzard, such as layoffs, lack of transparency in pay, advancement, or performance metrics; certain roles not being given the same perks and respect as those in other roles; enduring discrimination; and unpredictable, extended periods of overtime.

By organizing a union, we will gain the legally protected right to bargain together with our leadership over these issues. We also are building collective power that can apply beyond just a contract. 

Without us, our company doesn’t exist. The success of the entire company depends on us, and that gives us a lot of leverage. That’s why unionized workers have generally better working conditions than non-unionized workers. 


HOW DO WE FORM A UNION?

In order for our union to be officially recognized by Activision Blizzard, a majority must indicate support by signing union authorization cards. Microsoft will then open a confidential online portal, and a third party will count the cards and any “yes” votes to verify that a majority have chosen union representation. 

Once we are recognized, we’ll then elect a committee of coworkers to negotiate a contract with management on wages, benefits, and working conditions. We’ll also hold meetings and conduct surveys to determine priorities. 

At the end of the day, a union is all about creating community amongst our coworkers and using that collective power as a tool to improve working conditions. If you’re interested in learning more about unions and how to organize, check out our trainings!


HOW DO I JOIN OUR UNION?


WHAT DOES UNION NEUTRALITY MEAN?
Microsoft has committed to be completely neutral in the union drive at Activision Blizzard and let workers decide for themselves, including training Activision Blizzard supervisors to respect our choice to unionize. 

Microsoft publicly released a statement where they said, “The tech sector itself is addressing a new facet that has long been important to the U.S. economy and American democracy – the right of workers to organize… We are committed to creative and collaborative approaches with unions when employees wish to exercise their rights.”

 

WHAT IF A MANAGER VIOLATES NEUTRALITY? 

Almost 2,000 workers at Microsoft-owned studios have now organized and Microsoft has held to neutrality throughout. We are confident that leadership at Microsoft wants this process to run smoothly.  If anyone feels like any supervisor is not being neutral, reach out to an organizer. And remember, federal law gives us the right to organize without coercion or intimidation.

WHO IS CWA AND WHAT OTHER WORKERS ARE MEMBERS OF CWA? 
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is a democratic union that represents hundreds of thousands of workers in private and public sector employment. CWA members work in telecommunications, tech, information technology, news media, broadcast, cable television, health care, public service, education, and other fields.

Through CODE-CWA, more than 6,000 tech and game workers have unionized at major multinational tech companies, tiny startups, small indie game studios, AAA game publishers, non-profits, progressive tech companies, equitable worker co-ops, and more.

From video game workers at World of Warcraft, Bethesda, Raven Software, Blizzard Austin and Albany QA, ZeniMax, and Sega to software developers and engineers at tech companies like EveryAction, Bonterra, and Change.org, to artists at Meow Wolf and Tender Claws, CWA represents a broad range of workers in our industry. And CWA has stood by us for years as we organized to improve Activision Blizzard, and secured a legally binding neutrality agreement at Microsoft.


IS CWA A THIRD PARTY?
No. CWA is a democratic member-run union. All of our leaders are members, elected by their co-workers. The union is all of us. We will choose our own shop stewards, will vote for who runs the union, will elect a bargaining team, and will vote on all contracts.

WHAT TYPES OF THINGS CAN WE NEGOTIATE IN A UNION CONTRACT?

Check out some worker wins here.

HOW CAN UNIONS PROTECT US AGAINST LAYOFFS, OR OTHER ISSUES SPECIFICALLY? 

While unions cannot ensure that layoffs won’t happen under any circumstances, collective bargaining gives workers power to navigate layoffs. By unionizing, workers have a seat at the table to negotiate if layoffs were to happen, and also negotiate contract terms that can limit the scope of layoffs and better support workers who are impacted. The same goes for all issues that happen at the workplace. 

 

WHAT IS AN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE?

We all have to take action to build our union. Signing a card is the first step, but we need people to join us and help us reach more coworkers. This group is called the organizing committee and we do the work of building our union. We want to make sure this group of people organizing our workplace is representative across teams, demographics, tenure, basically everything. The more people in this group, the more powerful and effective we are — contact an organizer and we’ll get you looped into the committee for your team. 

 

OK, I AM PRO UNION. BUT WHY SHOULD I SHARE THAT WITH MY CO-WORKERS?

Publicly showing your union support shows our bosses the strength of our solidarity. When we are all a part of the effort together, we have more power to demand a better workplace.

 

CAN’T WE GET MORE BY JUST SITTING DOWN AND TALKING INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE BOSS?
Bargaining collectively is the only way to effectively negotiate “big issues” such as health insurance, retirement, overtime, staffing, a living wage for all, and fair working conditions. With a union, gains are guaranteed in a legally binding contract.

 

WILL FORMING A UNION CREATE TENSIONS AT WORK BETWEEN STAFF AND SUPERVISORS?
Most union members find that once a union is established, it is less tense — and less personal — to approach a supervisor as a representative of the union than it was to raise issues as a lone individual.

 

WILL WE HAVE TO STRIKE?
No. The only way we can strike is if we vote to strike. Over 98% of first contracts are bargained successfully without even the threat of a strike. Strikes and other forms of direct action are tools in our toolbelt, but are essentially the last resort when management refuses to negotiate in good faith. 

 

WHEN DO WE START PAYING DUES, AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY?
No one pays dues until our union votes to ratify our first union contract. Dues are 1.3% of our base pay. Some locals charge slightly more, but no local has dues more than 2%. That means if our paycheck is $1,000, union dues would be $13. 

Unions are entirely run by and funded by members. Dues pay for the organizing, negotiating, training, legal representation and research work of our union. 

 

I’M NOT A U.S. CITIZEN. CAN I JOIN A UNION?

Regardless of immigration status, if you are employed by a U.S. company, you have the right to organize, talk about working conditions, and take action.

 

I’M DOWN. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
We thought you’d never ask! Reach out to an organizer and we’ll plug you in with other ABK members on your team.