Raven Software QA developers under Activision Blizzard are unionizing

Quality assurance developers at Raven Software, a studio acquired by Activision in 1997, have worked with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the ABetterABK ABK Workers Alliance to form plans for the Game Workers Alliance (GWA) union. As reported by Polygon, the GWA represents the first time workers have formed a unit, with 78% of Raven Software’s QA workers supporting the union according to a CWA representative.

Notably, several of Raven Software’s QA developers have been on strike since December after Activision Blizzard denied 12 members of the QA team new contracts. According to a report from The Washington Post, the strike has no end date in sight, and the developers’ demands have not been met.

In a news release, Raven Software QA tester Becka Aigner gave a statement: “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.”

According to the CWA, Activision Blizzard has not been cooperative with workers. There have been reports of the parent company utilizing “used surveillance and intimidation tactics,” which includes the hiring of “notorious union busters to silence workers.” In response, the CWA has reached out to Activision Blizzard to encourage cooperation with the GWA so that the union can be officially recognized.

“We ask that Activision Blizzard management respect Raven QA workers by voluntarily recognizing CWA’s representation without hesitation,” Communications Workers of America Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens said. “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.” Raven developers plan to file for union election through the National Labor Relations Board if management doesn’t respond by the end of Jan. 25, Pacific time.

This news follows the recent bombshell that Microsoft plans to buy Activision Blizzard for Xbox, which would include Raven Software as well as all of Activision Blizzard’s other subsidiaries. If the deal goes through in 2023, developers will report to the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer. Until then, Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as Activision Blizzard CEO, despite widespread calls for his resignation from workers and media outlets alike.