Raven Software intends to form the Vortex trade union group
Although a large-scale acquisition by Microsoft was handled last week in connection with Activision, previous events have certainly not stopped. Leaving aside a protracted lawsuit over alleged discrimination and harassment in the workplace, directed directly against Activision, a case related to the Raven Software studio surfaced before the end of last year. The testers involved in the development of the Call of Duty series, including Warzone’s battle royale, went on strike over layoffs, alleged ill-treatment and unacceptable working conditions. In addition, some other members of the studio from other departments took part in the protests, and all this will probably lead to the establishment of the first union group in a video game company in the United States.
Quality Assurance is an essential part of any software development process. However, Quality Assurance Testers are consistently undervalued, undercompensated, and overworked. (1/2)
— Game Workers Alliance 💙#WeAreGWA (@WeAreGWA) January 21, 2022
More than 30 Raven Software employees have formed the Game Workers Alliance, which has officially applied to Activision management for recognition as a union. According to a spokesman for Communication Workers of America, under which GWA Studios Raven is formed, 78 percent of the test department’s staff voted in favor of the group, which, according to regulations, is enough to allow the process to continue. In order for unions to be formed, it should according to the legal representative of the National Council for Labor Relations the consent of only 30 percent of employees, followed by a process of recognition and subsequent negotiation of working conditions.
The first step was successfully completed
“I am proud that they can join the majority of their colleagues and form our own trade union,” said Raven Software tester Becky Aigner in a press release. “In the video game industry, specifically in the testing department of Raven Software, people are dedicated to their work and the content they help create. We want to ensure that the passion of these workers is in line with the environment, [ve kterém pracují], ”Adds Aigner. He believes that through the unions, there will be a meaningful discussion with the management of Activision, which, according to the spokesperson of the emerging union group, tended to use intimidation tactics, including hiring people who had previously actively opposed the unions and disrupted them through a number of activities.
Our Principles:
-Solidarity: The voices of workers should be heard by leadership. By uniting in solidarity, we can ensure our message is further reaching, and more effective. (1/8)
— Game Workers Alliance 💙#WeAreGWA (@WeAreGWA) January 21, 2022
As for the basic points that GWA wants to achieve, it is primarily the sustainability of work ethic, ie the effort to avoid overtime and the infamous crunchování, setting realistic time plans, transparency in dealing with management, adequate salary evaluation with the possibility of professional growth and diversity when hiring new employees. Among the lines of basic principles and statutes is also the desire for recognition of greater merit and respect for work, which is often overlooked by developer studies, when testers are considered an auxiliary force that can not in fact claim the title of developer. “Together with our management, our goal is to create a healthy and prosperous work environment for all, to develop successful and sustainable products and to support the joy of our players,” added GWA representatives.
Activision is not very inclined
However, no matter how much pressure they put on Activision, the ball is now in the lead and it is up to him to decide whether to recognize the group and start dealing with it according to the usual rules. And it must be admitted that, based on Activision’s first official response to The Verge magazine, it seems that the trade union call will probably go unanswered. Activision is applying the application for trade union recognition in the testing department of Raven Software to the entire company, which has almost 10,000 employees, of which 30 testers make up only 3 per mille. And while Activision recognizes the rights of all employees to decide whether or not to join unions, it lists how the Raven’s testing department has improved in recent times. “Over the past few years, this has included raising the minimum wage for employees by 41 percent, extending paid leave, expanding access to health benefits for employees and their loved ones, and moving more than 60 percent of full-time contract staff,” says Activision. later.
