State of the Unions: the rise of unionisation in games workplaces
The rise of unions in the video games industry has been a hot topic over the past decade, as more and more workers seek protection for their rights in the face of harsh working conditions and management shortcomings around the world. Read more
Unionization in the games industry has seen a surge in recent years as workers strive to protect their rights amid challenging working conditions. Numerous games-specific unions have emerged, with SAG-AFTRA striking to secure better pay for voice actors and AI protection, ZeniMax workers protesting remote work and outsourcing, and protests held outside major studios like Rockstar Games and Ubisoft. This trend appears set to continue and prove successful.
Austin Kelmore, co-founder of the IWGB Game Workers and Game Worker Solidarity, notes that in just eight years, workers in over 130 distinct groups and unions across 15 countries have organized to win improvements in their workplaces. The focus has shifted from whether the games industry should unionize to which workers will join unions next.
Union representation has been particularly successful in Ubisoft's French studios, with unions present in nearly every Ubisoft company in France. Solidaires Informatique at Ubisoft Paris represent almost every studio in the country. However, the rest of the French video game industry is in crisis, with many major studios facing bankruptcy or layoffs.
In Poland, the Gamedev Workers Union formed two years ago to represent workers in various studios, despite legal barriers hindering union activity. The Polish union has already negotiated workplace regulations and secured better conditions for its members.
Workers in unionized games workplaces have secured various benefits, including four-day work weeks, pay increases, remote work options, AI protections, and more. They have also reduced layoffs, halted harassment, and won millions for mistreated workers. Union members have learned the power of collective action and the importance of holding their employers accountable.
Unions have influenced companies to adopt better legal compliance practices, accommodate diverse employees, and learn about workers' rights. Microsoft recently agreed to a contract with Blizzard workers, offering hybrid work, AI protections, recall rights, and wage increases. As unions grow stronger, companies will have to concede more to maintain their workforce and operations.
Written by urgent.news from GamesIndustry's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
