WHAT IS A UNION?
A union is a group of workers who come together to make decisions about the conditions of their work. Once we form our union, we bargain with management on wages, work hours, benefits, workplace health and safety, and other work-related issues. The product of that negotiation is a legally binding contract that protects us and our rights. We are the union!
WHY DO WE NEED A UNION?
It is time for workers to drive the decisions that affect our lives, especially in the gaming industry. There are bound to be changes as this merger goes through. We want a seat at the table so we have a powerful say in those changes and decisions.
We have faced many challenges over the years at Activision Blizzard, such as a lack of transparency in pay, advancement, or performance metrics; certain roles not being given the same perks and respect as those in other roles; enduring discrimination; and unpredictable, extended periods of overtime.
When we act together, we have the ability to address these issues on a larger scale and become part of the solution. And with a union, we can secure these wins in a legally binding contract. That means that no matter who is running the company, we are protected. Together, we have the power to make our workplace better, not just for ourselves, but for our current and future coworkers.
CAN’T WE GET MORE BY JUST SITTING DOWN AND TALKING INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE BOSS?
Bargaining collectively is the only way to effectively negotiate “big issues” such as health insurance, retirement, overtime, staffing, a living wage for all, and fair working conditions. With a union, gains are guaranteed in a legally binding contract.
HOW DO I JOIN THE UNION?
The first step is reaching out to a CWA organizer. From there, CWA will help us determine what an appropriate unit of workers is, and we can start building an organizing committee that is reflective of all the different titles, departments, and work groups in that unit. Once we have an organizing committee, we can begin signing union cards.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN I SIGN A UNION AUTHORIZATION CARD?
Filling out and signing a union authorization card means you want to join together with coworkers and form a union. In order for our union to be officially recognized by Activision Blizzard, a majority must indicate support for joining the union, by any combination of signed cards and “yes” votes through a confidential online portal.
IS THIS CONTROVERSIAL? WILL MY SUPERVISOR BE UPSET?
This is not controversial at all. In fact, Microsoft has agreed to remain neutral and not fight organizing in any way. Microsoft publicly released a statement earlier this year, where they said, “The tech sector itself is addressing a new a facet that has long been important to the U.S. economy and American democracy – the right of workers to organize… We are committed to creative and collaborative approaches with unions when employees wish to exercise their rights.”
WILL MICROSOFT TRAIN THEIR MANAGERS AT ACTIVISION BLIZZARD TO BE NEUTRAL?
Yes. Microsoft has committed to be completely neutral in the union drive at Activision Blizzard and they will train Activision Blizzard supervisors to respect our choice to unionize as well. They did it at ZeniMax and they’ll do it here.
THIS SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. WHAT IF A MANAGER VIOLATES NEUTRALITY? CAN I BE PUNISHED?
We are confident that leadership at Microsoft wants this process to run smoothly. They made sure it did at ZeniMax when several hundred workers organized. If anyone feels like any supervisor is not being neutral, call your union. CWA is confident Microsoft will remind any supervisor that they must be neutral. And remember, federal law gives us the right to organize without coercion or intimidation.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO PROVE A MAJORITY WANTS A UNION?
Once a majority have signed a union card, we can decide to open an online portal for a time to give those who wish to vote an opportunity to do so. Once this period closes, a neutral third party will count the cards and the votes in the portal and cross check it with a list of eligible employees. The neutral third party will then verify that a majority have chosen union representation, and Microsoft will recognize the union.
WILL FORMING A UNION CREATE TENSIONS AT WORK BETWEEN STAFF AND SUPERVISORS?
Most union members find that once a union is established, it is less tense — and less personal — to approach a supervisor as a representative of the union than it was to raise issues as a lone individual.
WHO IS CWA AND WHAT OTHER WORKERS ARE MEMBERS OF CWA?
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is a democratic union that represents hundreds of thousands of workers in private and public sector employment. CWA members work in telecommunications, tech, information technology, news media, broadcast, cable television, health care, public service, education, and other fields.
CWA has successfully organized over 4,000 tech and game workers at major multinational tech companies, tiny startups, small indie game studios, AAA game publishers, non-profits, progressive tech companies, equitable worker co-ops, and more.
From game workers at Raven Software, Blizzard Albany, ZeniMax, and Sega to software developers and engineers at tech companies like EveryAction Bonterra, and Change.org to artists at Meow Wolf and Tender Claws, CWA represents a broad range of workers in our industry. Google workers chose CWA when they started the Alphabet Workers Union. And CWA has stood by us for years as we organized to improve Activision Blizzard, and secured a legally binding neutrality agreement at Microsoft.
IS CWA A THIRD PARTY?
No. CWA is a democratic member-run union. All of our leaders are members, elected by their co-workers. The union is us. All of us. We will choose our own shop stewards, will vote for who runs the union, will elect a bargaining team, and will vote on all contracts.
OK, I AM PRO UNION. BUT WHY SHOULD I SHARE THAT WITH MY CO-WORKERS?
We cannot build a strong union in secret. Being public removes fear, and helps us win our union and a strong contract. We are stronger together! Be public in your support for our union!
HOW DOES A UNION WORK, ANYWAY?
We are joining a democratic, worker led organization. Once we form our union, we select a committee of coworkers to sit down with management to negotiate a contract on issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. We will hold meetings and conduct surveys to determine priorities. Once a deal is reached, members of our union vote it up or down. After we approve our first contract, we will be the ones to enforce our contract in our workplace. Union members also participate in the broader labor movement through demonstrations, voter drives, and lobbying. A union provides us a vehicle for making change in our workplace and in society.
WHEN DO WE START PAYING DUES, AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY?
No one pays a penny in dues until we all bargain a union contract, and until that contract is voted on by everyone. When we have a union contract we are satisfied with, and only after we vote “yes” for that contract, then dues kick in. Dues are 1.3% of our base pay. Some locals charge slightly more, but no local has dues more than 2%. That means if our paycheck is $1000, our union dues would be $13. Dues are a way to keep the union running so we have an infrastructure to fight for better working conditions.
WILL WE HAVE TO STRIKE?
No. The only way we can strike is if we vote to strike! Over 98% of first contracts are bargained successfully without even the threat of a strike.
AREN’T UNIONS JUST FOR BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS?
White-collar workers from many industries are members of CWA, including designers, engineers, non-profit advocates and researchers, lawyers, journalists, flight attendants, and telecommunications customer service representatives.
Workers in the tech and game industries have been organizing with CWA in recent years and, by coming together, have the ability to dramatically reshape the industry for the better. Workers have successfully organized at ZeniMax Games, Raven Studios, Activision Blizzard Albany, Sega, Meow Wolf, Tender Claws, Blue State Digital, ActBlue, EveryAction, New York Times Tech, Google, and more.
WHERE DID THE LABOR MOVEMENT COME FROM?
Many of our parents and grandparents fought to join unions. The labor movement was built by activists across the country. And for a time, working men and women enjoyed job security and fair wages. Over the past six decades or so, there has been a concerted effort to weaken unions. This seems to be changing now, all across America. Union workers fight for justice on the job. Welcome to the union family!
I’M DOWN. CAN I GET INVOLVED?
We thought you would never ask. Yes! Email us at [email protected] and we will plug you in to other ABK members in your neck of the woods.