Zenimax workers win a provisional union agreement

A union of Microsoft Gaming employees won a provision agreement with the company, in what is called a first for industry.

American communications workers (CWA), who represent more than 300 quality insurance Zenimax Studios workersannounced the agreement on Friday. Zenimax, acquired by Microsoft in 2020, is the parent company of Arkane Studios, ID Software and Machinegames video game developers, as well as the publisher Bethesda Softworks.

The workers of Zenimax United-Cwa first unionized in 2023, and after two years of negotiation, they reached a contractual agreement with Microsoft. According to the announcement, the contract devotes salary increases and wage minimums for employees, as well as protections against arbitrary dismissal, grievance procedures and a credit policy that recognizes the contributions of AQ workers.

The contract also includes a 2023 agreement concerning AI. Zenimax agreed to provide a notice of Implementation of AI This would have an impact on the work of the members of the union and the possibility of negotiating these impacts.

“Going on foot with one of the largest companies in the world is not a small feat. This is a monumental victory for all current video game workers and for those who come after,” said the Senior II Qa communication press release.

“Workers in the video game industry demonstrate once again that the collective power works. This agreement shows what is possible when workers stand together and refuse to accept the status quo,” said CWA president Claude Cummings Jr., in the press release.

Video game studios have prompted themselves to organize in recent years. Last year, Bethesda Studios and Activision workers AQ workers have formed a union. In March, the CWA announced an American and Canadian union at the industry level United Videogy Workers-Cwa.

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