Members of the Activision High quality Assurance United-CWA (AQAU-CWA) union have voted to authorise a strike if mandatory, claiming Activision has “did not cut price in good religion over key points” in negotiations for a primary contract.
The AQAU-CWA’s bargaining committee entered negotiations with Activision in August 2024, after forming in March when over 600 QA workers unionised.
Microsoft voluntarily recognised the union underneath its labour neutrality settlement, which it entered into with the CWA in 2022. The CWA now represents virtually 2,500 staff at Activision Blizzard.
“For 2 years, Activision has delayed and stalled negotiations fairly than doing their obligation to cut price in good religion with the devoted staff who work on profit-shattering titles that the gaming group enjoys dearly,” stated CWA District 7 vice chairman Susie McAllister.
Key points mentioned embody wage will increase, AI guardrails, contractor use, and staff’ rights to hunt lodging underneath the People with Disabilities Act.
“The outcomes of the strike authorisation vote ship a transparent message to Activision administration: it’s time to cease enjoying video games as a result of our members are united and ready to do what it takes to win the robust contract they deserve.”
AQAU-CWA bargaining committee member and QA practical tester Jenna Huffman added: “Activision’s stalling on the bargaining desk exhibits that they aren’t the high-road, union-neutral employer they as soon as dedicated themselves to be and are as a substitute aggressively combating us in dangerous religion on the desk.”
“Our members are uninterested in the stalling and are ready to do what must be executed to safe a good contract, a good wage, and honest working circumstances for everybody.”
In response to the authorisation to strike, an Activision spokesperson advised Kotaku that it “has been working in good religion with the CWA for the Central QA group and we’ve made significant progress on a lot of points.”
“Our aim is a good first contract that helps our QA group members and the long-term success of the enterprise. We stay dedicated to open dialogue with the union and have provided to fulfill once more on October 21 and 22. We respect our workers’ proper to interact in protected exercise, together with the proper to strike. We’ve got plans in place to make sure there isn’t any disruption to gamers or upcoming sport releases.”