What's Happening?
The Story and Franchise Development team at Blizzard has voted to unionize, joining the Communications Workers of America in Orange County, California. This decision follows previous unionization efforts within Blizzard, including the World of Warcraft and Overwatch 2 teams. The unionization is driven by concerns over job security and transparency, as highlighted by union organizer Buddy Fisk, who cited frequent layoffs in the video game industry as a motivating factor. Recently, Blizzard experienced significant layoffs, including members of the Warcraft Rumble team, as part of broader job cuts at Microsoft.
AD
Why It's Important?
The unionization of Blizzard's Story and Franchise Development team marks a significant development in the ongoing labor movement within the video game industry. As more teams within major gaming companies seek union representation, this could lead to increased bargaining power for employees, potentially resulting in better job security and working conditions. The move also reflects broader industry trends towards unionization, which could influence other companies to adopt similar practices, thereby reshaping labor relations in the tech and gaming sectors.
What's Next?
With the unionization now in place, the Story and Franchise Development team at Blizzard will likely begin negotiations with management to address their concerns. This could lead to changes in company policies regarding layoffs and decision-making transparency. Additionally, other teams within Blizzard and the wider gaming industry may be encouraged to pursue unionization, potentially leading to a wave of similar movements across the sector.
