In 2022 a lot of discussions were held in the gaming industry and Microsoft ended up supporting the largest union center centered work union organization. Some 300 people were employed in the Bethesda studio. Although it became known, even the creation of the union Microsoft tried to do its best to close the deal with Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft ran a major ad on The Washington Post explaining it accepting unions. The advertising was signed by Communications Workers of America (CWA) that represents communications workers and media workers. Here is the full text of Microsofts statement in the advertisement.
New Year opens the door.
As we begin the new year, we are dedicated to getting better jobs for people who earn a living in the tech sector. When employees and management speak at the table, both employees and customers benefit from it.
There are over 300 employees in ZeniMax Media studios who used their legal right to vote to form a union. This is in line with the new standards of labor neutrality pioneered by Communications workers of America and Microsoft last year. During the year 2023, we hope to bring the same agreement and principles that Microsoft offered to acquire the company to Activision Blizzard.
We aren’t asking the FTC to ignore competition issues. On the contrary, we believe that it’s important to look for solutions that protect competition and consumers, while promoting employee satisfaction, economic growth and innovation.
We believe that spirit made Congress even better for FTC in 1914.
This is a spirit that deserves being kept today.