Another massive batch of developers under Microsoft and more specifically under Blizzard have voted in favor of unionization under the Communications Workers of America (CWA), as 450 developers working on Diablo voted for unionization.
Per a press release from the CWA, those who voted for unionizing will join members of the CWA Local 9510 in Irvine, the CWA Local 1118 in Albany, and the CWA Local 6215 in Austin. Microsoft, in keeping with its promise made to help push its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King through, has recognized the union.
That's not to say that Microsoft has been entirely welcoming to the hundreds of game developers under it that have unionized in recent years. It took the ZeniMax QA union, the first major union to form under Microsoft thanks to the deal, two years to reach a deal, and they eventually had to strike to help get its deal through.
There are still other unions under Microsoft working for a deal, but still, it's all a step towards creating a better situation for the developers.
"With every subsequent round of mass layoffs, I've witnessed the dread in my coworkers grow stronger because it feels like no amount of hard work is enough to protect us," said Kelly Yeo, producer on Diablo. "I am overjoyed that we have formed a union—this is just the first step for us joining a movement spreading across an industry that is tired of living in fear. We are ready to begin fighting for real change alongside our Diablo colleagues."
Nav Bhatti, senior software engineer on Diablo added, "My entire career as a developer has seen my peers and I paying the ‘passion tax’ for working in an industry that we love. At some point you have to choose between fight or flight, and forming a union is us doing just that — standing our ground in the industry."
This is the latest wall-to-wall unionization effort at Blizzard since the Overwatch 2 team formed its union, and if the reports we've heard, and continue to hear, about working conditions under Microsoft are even half true, it likely won't be the last as workers continue to fight for a better quality of life.
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