Unionised employees at Raven Software have voiced concerns regarding the negotiation practices of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. According to Stephen Totilo’s Game File newsletter, the union has lodged an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that the gaming giants are not engaging in negotiations with the sincerity expected in such discussions. The details of the complaint have yet to be disclosed publicly.
Union’s Perspective
Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), expressed disappointment over the current state of negotiations. “After Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, our members were optimistic that they would progress quickly to a first contract at Raven Software,” he stated. “Unfortunately, that has not happened. We encourage Microsoft to address the concerns raised in the Unfair Labor Practice charge and make reaching a fair agreement a priority.”
In response to these allegations, a representative from Microsoft reaffirmed the company’s commitment to negotiating in good faith, emphasizing their intention to resolve the matter amicably.
The NLRB officially recognised the Raven union in April 2022, with Xbox acknowledging the bargaining unit shortly thereafter, in line with its labour neutrality agreement with the CWA. Activision Blizzard followed suit in June 2022, expressing its willingness to engage in “good faith negotiations” with the union.
