Yesterday, ZeniMax Employees United-CWA, the union made up of greater than 300 high quality assurance staff at Microsoft through its subsidiary ZeniMax Media, reached a tentative contract settlement with Microsoft. The union was fashioned back in 2022, and has been bargaining with Microsoft within the intervening years since. Final month, the union was preparing to potentially strike against Microsoft, however now it looks as if this can be averted.
If absolutely agreed to, the contract will usher in “substantial across-the-board wage will increase in addition to new minimal salaries for staff”, in line with a press release from the CWA. On prime of that, there could be protections in opposition to arbitrary dismissal, grievance procedures, and a “crediting coverage that clearly acknowledges the QA staff’ contributions to the video video games they assist create.” The press launch notes that the settlement would additionally embrace an settlement made in 2023 in relation to how AI is used within the office.
To be clear, this contract is not set in stone simply but. Clarification conferences have to be held for members over the approaching weeks, and in line with the CWA a ratification vote must be accomplished by June twentieth. If it goes by means of, it is going to be an enormous win for the employees, and may set a giant precedent for recreation staff employed at a Microsoft-owned studio.
Earlier this month, a union made up of virtually 200 Overwatch devs was also formed alongside the CWA, known as the Overwatch Gamemakers Guild. Microsoft have already recognised this union as nicely. If issues proceed to go nicely for ZeniMax Employees United-CWA, maybe we’ll see wins at different unions additional down the road. I for one have my fingers deeply tied for such outcomes.
