Microsoft game testers boost union ranks at company to 1,000

The latest union victory at Activision, acquired by Microsoft last year, could provide a boost for CWA’s efforts to organise gaming workers at other companies. — AFP

About 600 video game testers at Microsoft Corp’s Activision Blizzard studios have unionised, more than doubling the size of labour’s foothold at the software giant, according to the Communications Workers of America.

The achievement, which brings the unionised workforce within Microsoft to roughly 1,000, was possible partly thanks to Microsoft’s labour-friendly posture. Unlike most US tech giants, the company declined to campaign against organising efforts and agreed to voluntarily recognise and negotiate with the group if it secured majority support.