After Microsoft announced the dismissal of 1,900 employees from its games division, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) assured that the affected staffers within its representation remained unaffected.
The CWA serves as a representative for various Microsoft divisions, including ZeniMax Studios and Activision Blizzard, advocating for the rights and interests of employees.
Wayne Dayberry, a Senior QA tester and member of ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of layoffs in the video game industry, even within companies that consistently generate substantial profits.
He emphasized the distress of witnessing passionate coworkers, instrumental in the success of video game companies, being the first to face job cuts.
Dayberry remarked, “Union representation can’t always shield against layoffs, but it provides a platform for video game workers to establish greater transparency and policies prioritizing their needs, including protection against layoffs.”
Highlighting the importance of unity, he added, “That’s why we encourage every video game worker to join our union. Together, we can wield the collective power to set new industry standards, ensuring that we can pursue our passionate work without fear of exploitation.”
In a significant development in 2023, Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to honoring the labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
