CWA, Microsoft Announce Groundbreaking Labor Neutrality Agreement

This week, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and Microsoft announced they have entered into a ground-breaking labor neutrality agreement, the first of its kind in the technology industry. The agreement will apply at video game company Activision Blizzard beginning 60 days after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision closes. Quality Assurance workers at Activision’s Raven Software video game studio had already won an election to be represented by the CWA last month. The company has almost 7,000 employees in the United States, most of whom will be eligible to unionize under the new agreement.

“This agreement provides a pathway for Activision Blizzard workers to exercise their democratic rights to organize and collectively bargain after the close of the Microsoft acquisition and establishes a high road framework for employers in the games industry,” said CWA President Chris Shelton. “Microsoft’s binding commitments will give employees a seat at the table and ensure that the acquisition of Activision Blizzard benefits the company's workers and the broader video game labor market.” Read more in the NY Times, Washington Post, and IGN.