World of Warcraft organizes ‘wall-to-wall’ union with CWA

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World of Warcraft organizes 'wall-to-wall' union with CWA

As a long-time gamer and follower of the gaming industry, I can’t help but feel elated by the recent news that nearly the entire World of Warcraft team at Activision Blizzard has unionized with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This is an incredible victory for these hardworking individuals who have dedicated their talents and passions to creating one of the most beloved MMORPGs in history.

As a passionate fan of World of Warcraft, I’m thrilled to share that a significant achievement has been made towards unionization at Activision Blizzard. Nearly the entire team behind my favorite game, including developers, testers, community managers, and more from various departments, have come together to form a “wall-to-wall” union comprising over 500 dedicated employees. This grassroots movement is not only self-driven but also receives valuable support from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union group. The CWA has recognized our team’s efforts and pledged their assistance in this endeavor, further strengthening their commitment to promoting unions within the gaming industry.

As a long-time fan and player of World of Warcraft (WoW), I’m thrilled to hear that the union for the game’s development team, now known as the WoW Gamemaker’s Guild, has officially launched. Having worked in various creative industries myself, I can appreciate the importance of collective representation and fair labor practices.

World of Warcraft workers just joined CWA!

We are stoked to welcome them into our union.

— CWA (@CWAUnion) July 24, 2024

This represents a significant advancement in union formation within the gaming industry for 2023. The WoW Game Makers Guild has recently joined forces with Sega of America employees, who have already achieved and approved their initial union contract.

In the realms of gaming and tech industries, unionization has become a significant issue of debate. This heightened interest stems from the numerous layoffs that have swept through these sectors in 2024, affecting tens of thousands of employees at corporations such as Microsoft and Embracer Group. More recently, Ziff Davis, the parent company of IGN, eliminated its entire Humble Games publishing team. Although the publishing division hasn’t officially shut down, it has been significantly weakened. Such events have fueled a growing need for labor safeguards and rights, paving the way for accomplishments like those achieved by the World of Warcraft Gamemaker’s Guild.

As an avid fan of World of Warcraft (WoW), I’m thrilled about the recent establishment of the WoW Gamemaker’s Guild, supported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This development is expected to bring protection and advantages to Activision Blizzard employees. Keep an eye out for more news and announcements regarding this unionization story and others as they unfold.

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2024-07-25 18:57