quickutilities – Employees at Raven Software, the studio behind the Call of Duty franchise. Have finally secured a union contract with Microsoft. This achievement comes almost three years after quality assurance (QA) workers voted unanimously to unionize, marking a historic milestone in the video game industry. The union, known as the Game Workers Alliance-CWA (GWA-CWA), was the first to form at Activision Blizzard and among the earliest unions at a major US video game publisher.
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The newly ratified contract guarantees a 10-percent wage increase over the next two years. Beyond this, workers can expect additional raises based on merit and promotional advancements. This pay boost aims to reward employees fairly and reflects the union’s commitment to improving compensation for QA professionals who often work long hours behind the scenes.
A key feature of the contract is the elimination of crunch time, a notorious issue in the game development world. The agreement requires Microsoft to provide at least seven days’ notice before any mandatory overtime. Additionally, it prevents excessive overtime during consecutive weeks and limits mandatory overtime to only a few weeks each quarter. This change promises better work-life balance and helps prevent burnout, a long-standing concern among game developers.
The contract also includes provisions for a fair promotions process, expanded disability accommodations, and stronger protections for layoffs. Severance packages, recall rights, COBRA subsidies, and career transition services will provide workers with greater security and support during uncertain times. These measures show a clear focus on employee wellbeing and job stability, which the union fought hard to secure.
The Long Road to Agreement and Its Industry Impact
The path to this contract was difficult for Raven’s QA workers. When they voted to unionize in 2021, it was a groundbreaking moment but not without challenges. Investigations uncovered that Activision Blizzard withheld raises from unionizing employees, which raised serious concerns about the company’s bargaining practices. Allegations of “bad faith bargaining” by senior management complicated negotiations and extended the timeline.
The contract signing is also significant because it comes after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard. This transition introduced new leadership that appears more willing to negotiate in good faith. Microsoft’s approach to labor relations at Raven Software will likely serve as a bellwether for other studios under its ownership.
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Raven’s contract follows a similar agreement reached by workers at ZeniMax, another Microsoft-owned studio, who secured their own union contract earlier this year. These contracts are shaping a new era of labor relations in the gaming industry, where unionization efforts are becoming more common and workers are gaining more influence.
Looking ahead, this contract sets an important precedent for improved working conditions and fairer treatment in game development. It may inspire more employees across the industry to organize and demand better rights, changing the landscape of labor in one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment sectors.
