Following mass layoffs and the closure of future projects, more and more Blizzard employees are joining a union under the auspices of the Communications Workers of America.
Employees at Blizzard Entertainment continue to fight for their labor rights. Several months after the Warcraft Rumble team was almost completely laid off and the project's development was halted, the remaining members, along with the Hearthstone team, voted to form a union. It now includes over 1,900 company employees.
According to the CWA, the new association includes over a hundred workers — engineers, designers, artists, testers, and producers. This is the fifth group of Blizzard employees to decide to unite after the recent Diablo team vote. Microsoft, which owns the publisher, has officially recognized the union.
The organization has published statements from developers who supported this decision.
«Many of my colleagues have voiced their concerns individually, but companies can easily ignore individuals. We decided to unite for a collective voice and solidarity that the industry cannot ignore.»
«I support the union because we deserve to be heard and respected. We need real solutions, not free therapy or relocation advice. We are tired of overwork, tired of being undervalued and faced with impossible choices.»
Meanwhile, Microsoft reported record financial results for 2024: the company's revenue reached $245 billion. The CWA has already noted this discrepancy, commenting on new cuts and worsening working conditions.
