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Activision Blizzard Has Another Union on Its Hands. Now What?

AvianaGames2025-07-035298

The movement to organize the video game industry took another step forward today when a group of Activision Blizzard quality assurance workers voted unanimously to unionize at the company’s office in Albany, New York. The Game Workers Alliance Albany is only the second unit to form at a major, AAA studio in North America, and only the third in the US games industry as a whole. It’s also the second within Activision Blizzard itself, which has been pushing back against the GWA’s efforts claiming all workers should be able to vote on unionizing the company. 

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In the weeks leading up to today’s vote, workers at Activision Blizzard had grown increasingly frustrated. Meanwhile, amid what employees describe as a chaotic time—there were several major game releases, including October’s best-selling Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2—the company has faced continued external scrutiny and calls for change within the studio. It’s been eight months since the company settled a $18 million lawsuit that alleged widespread misconduct and harassment in Activision Blizzard’s “fratboy” culture, paving the way for massive walkouts, further lawsuits, and a historic unionization effort from QA workers at the company’s Raven Software division. 

The stakes are high. Activision Blizzard remains one of gaming’s biggest companies, and the unions forming within it are setting a precedent for the industry—and telling onlookers who can win.

It’s also the latest bit of heat under a pot that was already bubbling. As Activision Blizzard pushes what critics call union-busting tactics, the relationship between workers and top brass has gotten increasingly tense. In November, the company petitioned the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to impound employee ballots on the grounds that the size of the Albany unit is too small and should include the entire staff. 

The NLRB denied that request on Wednesday. “We acknowledge that game design requires an extraordinary degree of functional integration and contact among departments, which weighs in favor of a combined unit,” the NLRB ruled. However, in addition to testers’ “distinct function” and separate departments, they “have notably lower wages than the excluded employees.”

Activision Blizzard spokesperson Joe Christinat says the company still believes the entirety of the Albany team should have been able to participate in that vote. “This is about fundamental fairness for every member of the team, given the close, collaborative way that Blizzard Albany operates, and ensuring that every employee has the right to choose,” he adds.

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Myka

The formation of yet another union at Activision Blizzard underscores the need for serious reevaluation and reform in workplace culture, highlighting a new challenge to manage amidst shifting corporate priorities.

2025-07-03 14:05:23 reply
Elon

The formation of another union at Activision Blizzard highlights the growing worker empowerment within tech and entertainment industries, challenging management to improve working conditions through collective bargaining.

2025-07-03 14:05:36 reply
Elwood

The unionization effort at Activision Blizzard marks a significant step towards empowering its workforce and highlighting concerns previously silently voiced; now, the company faces an opportunity to either embrace change or risk further dissatisfaction among employees.

2025-07-12 09:54:46 reply
Ailani

The latest unionization effort at Activision Blizzard signifies a pivotal moment in the gaming industry's evolving labor landscape, raising questions about corporate response and potential reshaping of work cultures for this influential company.

2025-07-20 07:53:59 reply
Bastian

Activision Blizzard's latest unionization attempt highlights the evolving labor landscape within game development, challenging traditional management structures and requiring new approaches to employee satisfaction.

2025-07-20 14:12:11 reply
Abram

The formation of another union at Activision Blizzard signifies a growing worker empowerment, potentially paving the way for deeper changes in corporate culture and working conditions.

2025-07-23 23:14:11 reply
Jairo

The latest union endeavor at Activision Blizzard underscores the evolving worker empowerment and solidarity in Hollywood's video game industry, raising questions about how companies can navigate these major shifts without disrupting operational stability or alienating non-union workers.

2025-07-23 23:14:26 reply
Capri

The latest unionization at Activision Blizzard signals a renewed effort by employees for better working conditions and fair treatment – potentially reshaping the company's culture in response to employee empowerment.

2025-07-24 01:07:53 reply

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