Activision Blizzard workers are launching another union!
Albany, New York - Hot on the heels of the brand-spanking-new Game Workers Alliance union at gaming developer Raven Software, Activision Blizzard King (ABK) is getting another union push!
A new unionization effort of Quality Assurance (QA) workers at Blizzard Albany just announced a request for the company to voluntarily recognize their union, called Game Workers Alliance Albany.
The budding union is forming because "QA is currently an undervalued discipline in the games and software industries."
GWA Albany's goal is to improve conditions for QA workers at Activision Blizzard, and to make sure employees have a seat at the bargaining table with company leadership.
The union, if successful, will try to get its members fairer and more transparent wages, benefits, health insurance, and make sure job titles and responsibilities match up.
It also aims to make it easier for workers to communicate on problems in the workplace, including misconduct and retaliation, as well as trying to stop the "crunch" culture, where projects demand days or weeks of overtime.
More on this topic from TAG24:
GWA Albany asks for voluntary recognition
Working with the Communication Workers of America, GWA Albany has offered leadership at ABK the option of making unionization as simple as possible.
"We ask that @ATVI_AB voluntarily recognize our union & respect our right to organize without retaliation or interference."
When TAG24 spoke to game workers' rights activist and former ABK employee Jessica Gonzalez, she pointed out that the easiest road to a successful unionization push is if company leadership voluntarily recognizes a union.
This means Activision Blizzard has the opportunity to shake off accusations of a months-long union-busting campaign aimed at Raven Software's Game Workers Alliance.
The labor union movement, meanwhile, continues to grown in strength and scope all over the country.
Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS, Jason Redmond/AFP