Bethesda Game Studios has officially become the first Microsoft game developer to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, forming a “wall-to-wall” union for developers including artists, engineers, programmers, and designers. The union has been recognized by Microsoft.
The union was confirmed after 241 developers either signed a union authorization card or indicated their desire to form a union via an online portal. This follows the formation of a union at Bethesda Games Studios Montreal in late June and the formation of a union for about 300 quality assurance workers at Zenimax, Bethesda’s parent company.
“We, the majority of developers at Bethesda Game Studios in Dallas, Rockville, and Austin, are thrilled to announce the formation of our union with @CWAUnion,” the group wrote on X/Twitter“Together as #OneBGSUSA, we champion the betterment of every developer at BGS, and set a new standard for our industry.”
The new union will now negotiate a contract with Microsoft. IGN has reached out to Microsoft for comment.
“We are incredibly excited to announce our union at Bethesda Game Studio and join the movement sweeping the video game industry,” said senior systems designer Mandy Parker in a press release. “It’s clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy to the workplace and securing a protected voice at work. We are thrilled to have gotten to the bottom of the facts and won a fair contract, proving that our unity is a real source of strength to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole.”
Unionization is a growing trend in the gaming industry as workers seek protection from mass layoffs. Sega of America ratified a contract earlier this year, and Activision quality assurance workers have announced their own union. Microsoft has previously said it won’t block a potential union at Activision Blizzard, which apparently extends to Bethesda Game Studios as well.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
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