Story perspectives

Blizzard Employees Unionize Amid Calls for Better Standards

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

Blizzard Entertainment's Platform and Technology department, a unit with over 400 employees, unionized under the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Microsoft has recognized the new Blizzard union, the second unionization at Blizzard after the story and franchise development teams.
Organizers cited layoffs and low pay as key motivators and called for improved workplace standards.
They plan to elect a bargaining committee and begin negotiations with Microsoft in the coming weeks.

History

Historical Context

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 established workers' rights to organize, significantly shaping U.S. labor relations. The Communications Workers of America (CWA), representing over 700,000 members, has been instrumental in advocating for these rights. The recent unionization of Blizzard Entertainment's Platform and Technology department highlights ongoing labor struggles, reflecting a broader trend of tech industry unionization efforts initiated by the CWA since 2020.

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Story summary

Blizzard Entertainment's Platform and Technology department, a unit with over 400 employees, unionized under the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Microsoft has recognized the new Blizzard union, the second unionization at Blizzard after the story and franchise development teams.
Organizers cited layoffs and low pay as key motivators and called for improved workplace standards.
They plan to elect a bargaining committee and begin negotiations with Microsoft in the coming weeks.

1 / 2