The technical backbone of Blizzard’s entire online ecosystem has just made a huge power move. Nearly 400 workers in the Platform and Technology department-the very people who build and maintain Battle.net-have successfully voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This is another massive step in the growing labor movement across the video game industry and sends a clear message about worker priorities, even inside a corporate giant like Microsoft.
A New Union Forged in Irvine and Austin
The successful union drive includes a wide range of roles crucial to the player experience: software engineers, project managers, designers, quality assurance testers, and customer support staff [91, 94]. In a strategic move agreed upon by both Microsoft and the CWA, the workers formed two separate units: a larger group of about 300 tech workers, and a second unit of around 80 localization, QA, and customer service staff [91].
Crucially, Microsoft voluntarily recognized the union after workers voted through card signing and an online portal [91]. This allowed them to bypass the long, often contentious process of going through the National Labor Relations Board, securing their victory in record time.
Why Now? The Race Against the Clock
The timing of this vote was no accident. The workers organized quickly to ensure their vote was completed before the expiration of a critical neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the CWA [91]. This agreement, signed back in 2022 as part of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, was a promise that the company would not interfere with union organizing efforts. It provided a simplified, more direct path to unionization. With that agreement now expired, the road for future organizing efforts at the company has become more uncertain, making this victory a landmark achievement that got in just under the wire.
The Reasons Behind the Rally
So, what pushed these highly skilled workers to organize? In interviews, union members have been clear about their motivations, and they reflect widespread concerns across the tech and gaming industries:
- Job Security and Layoffs: After seeing waves of layoffs sweep the industry, workers want a say in their future. Senior Data Scientist Alex Kohn said the union will give them “greater control over our workplace to minimize the suffering caused by future layoffs” [94].
- Return-to-Office Mandates: For many, the push to return to the office was the final straw. Senior Software Engineer Chris Myles cited watching talented, long-term colleagues being forced out due to strict RTO policies as his primary motivation to get involved [91].
- Fair Compensation and Retention: Keeping top talent requires competitive pay. Principal Software Engineer Daniel Weltz, a nearly 20-year Blizzard veteran, lamented seeing “so many incredible colleagues… come and go for preventable reasons” [94]. The union aims to hold leadership accountable for retaining the people who define the company’s culture.
- Respect for QA and Customer Service: There’s a strong desire to end the industry’s two-tiered system. Myles emphasized that fair treatment for QA and customer service is a top priority, stating, “we can’t really do our jobs without them” [91].
What’s Next for the Battle.net Union?
This victory was inspired by other successful union drives at Activision Blizzard, including the teams behind World of Warcraft and Diablo [91]. The success of those larger teams proved that organizing was possible. Now, with their union officially recognized, the real work begins. The Battle.net workers will enter into negotiations with Microsoft to bargain for their first contract. This process can be long-as seen with the QA unions at Raven Software and ZeniMax, which took years to ratify their first agreements-but for the first time, these workers have a legal seat at the table to determine their own future [91].
FAQs
Who just unionized at Activision Blizzard?
Nearly 400 workers in the Platform and Technology department, which includes the teams that run Battle.net, have unionized with the CWA.
Why did they unionize?
Their main goals are to secure better job security against layoffs, fight unfair return-to-office policies, ensure competitive compensation, and gain more respect and fair pay for QA and customer service roles.
Did Microsoft try to stop the union?
No. Due to a neutrality agreement, Microsoft recognized the union without a fight, which streamlined the process.
What is the neutrality agreement?
It was an agreement made during the Activision Blizzard acquisition where Microsoft promised not to interfere with or campaign against unionization efforts. That agreement has now expired.
What happens now for the union?
The newly formed union will now begin negotiating its first contract with Microsoft to codify wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Is this the first union at Microsoft’s gaming studios?
Not at all. They join a growing list of thousands of unionized workers at Microsoft, including teams at ZeniMax, Raven Software, and those working on World of Warcraft and Diablo.
Conclusion
The unionization of the Battle.net team is more than just another win for the labor movement; it’s a strategic one. These are the workers who keep Blizzard’s entire online infrastructure running, giving them immense leverage. Their success demonstrates a clear and growing trend: the people who create and maintain the games we love are demanding a voice in their own careers. As they head to the bargaining table, the entire industry will be watching to see what kind of precedent they set for the future of game development.