Bethesda makes video game industry history by becoming the first Microsoft game studio to fully unionize with more than 200 participating workers.
The studio is responsible for various popular titles, such as The ancient scrolls And To fall franchises. But now the company has unionized with the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Bethesda Game Studios Union
The project involves 241 workers, including artists, engineers, programmers and designers. They have all signed union authorization cards or “indicated that they want union representation through an online portal.”
The news, initially revealed in a CWA press release, was acknowledged by Microsoft as it had previously recognized unions. shape by quality assurance employees at Activision and ZeniMax Studios, according to The Verge.
The CWA also describes the latest unionization as “the first union for all employees at a Microsoft video game studio.” This means that all eligible positions will be represented by the company instead of just one type of employee.
The move comes after Bethesda Games Studios Montreal unionized in late June and about 300 quality assurance workers at ZeniMax.
In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the CWA said it was delighted to announce news of Bethesda’s unionization, IGN said.
The new union will now negotiate a contract with Microsoft that will benefit the affected workers. Mandi Parker, lead system designer, also said in a press release that they are excited to join the movement sweeping the video game industry.
He added that every worker can benefit from introducing democracy in the workplace and protecting their voice. Parker also noted that they are excited to get down to business and get a fair contract for workers.
A first in the history of video games
The newly formed union, which calls itself OneBGS, said: “As a democratic organisation, we seek to assert the collective wishes of our studio workers.” This includes safe, sustainable and fair work. environment for everyone, according to PCGamer.
It is also the latest effort as unionization becomes a growing trend within the video game industry.
Workers are increasingly seeking protection from the massive layoffs that have taken place at many companies recently. Earlier this year, the Sega of America union ratified a deal.
Microsoft had already stated that it would make no effort to block a possible merger with Activision Blizzard. It seems that this also applies to Bethesda Game Studios.