Around 600 workers in Activision Publishing’s quality assurance department have joined together to form a union, known as Activision Quality Assurance United – CWA. With the assistance of the Communications Workers of America, the employees successfully completed their vote for unionization, resulting in the certification of results on Friday, March 8th. This union marks the latest to emerge from Microsoft’s gaming division, becoming the largest video game union in the United States.
One of the organizers of Activision Quality Assurance United, Tom Shelley, highlighted the impact of a labor neutrality agreement and Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in facilitating the unionization process. Shelley emphasized the importance of providing protections for QA workers, who often receive lower pay and weaker job security compared to other industry roles, despite their integral contributions to the success of gaming companies and titles. The industry’s tendency to undervalue QA roles underscores the necessity for labor protections and fair compensation.
In quality assurance, workers play a crucial role in testing games for bugs and issues, which is essential for maintaining the quality of the final product. The majority of QA jobs are typically entry-level, leading to a perception of devaluation within the industry. By voluntarily recognizing the union, Microsoft has set a positive example for other companies and industries, encouraging more organizing efforts to protect the rights and improve conditions for workers across the board.
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