Raven Software union members accuse Microsoft and Activision Blizzard of “bad-faith negotiations”

Unionized workers at Raven Software have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against parent companies Activision Blizzard and Microsoft.

According to game fileThe complaint alleges both “bad faith bargaining” and “concerted activities”, the latter of which include “retaliation, dismissals, [and] Discipline.”

The complaint was filed as unionized Raven employees attempt to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with their employer. It's unclear what provisions the union hopes to achieve in a potential new contract, but it appears that the initial optimism that followed the studio's unionization initiative has since evaporated.

“Following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, our members were optimistic that they would quickly secure a first contract at Raven Software,” Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America, told Game File. “Unfortunately, that did not happen. We call on Microsoft to address the concerns raised in the unfair labor practice lawsuit and make a fair settlement a priority.”

The CWA has supported a number of gaming industry unions in their organizing efforts, including numerous cohorts at Activision Blizzard and Microsoft. The CWA's most recent success came when over 500 Blizzard Entertainment employees a wall-to-wall union was founded in Microsoft's own studio.

Previously, she oversaw the formation of trade unions, including almost 250 employees of Bethesda Game Studios And around 600 Activision Blizzard QA employees.

These efforts were supported by the Labor Neutrality Agreement Microsoft signed a contract with the CWA in 2022which initially affected employees of Activision Blizzard, but has since extended to ZeniMax employeesThis agreement allows workers to “freely and fairly decide on their union representation.”

In response to the NLRB complaint, Microsoft stated that it would continue to “negotiate in good faith.” However, Game File reports that Raven employees have endured multiple rounds of negotiations with management since the union was formed. founded in 2022but have not yet made any significant progress.

The game developer has contacted the CWA and Microsoft for further information.