Psychonauts developer Double Fine is set to unionise, after a petition was filed with the National Labor Relations Board on 7th May.
As with other efforts to unionise within Microsoft’s sprawling gaming businesses, Double Fine’s workers have allied with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, with a total of 42 employees drawn from both full-time employees and regular part time.
In a statement to Aftermath, the CWA said, “On May 7, the workers at Microsoft studio Double Fine Productions announced their decision to form a union with CWA to preserve and extend the studio’s commitments to creative excellence, diversity and inclusion, and worker quality of life. In tandem with requesting voluntary recognition from the company, workers have also filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to secure union representation. We appreciate that Microsoft has taken a neutral approach and agreed not to interfere in any way with worker’s rights to organize unions.”
Unions have popped up within Microsoft over the past few years, with the tech giant having agreed to take a neutral approach to unionisation efforts while trying to paint themselves in a positive light to politicians and regulators in 2022, while seeking to complete the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Those agreements have now lapsed, but unionisation efforts have continued, and the effects are being felt, even as Microsoft has gone ahead with mass layoffs.
Within Activision Blizzard, you have the World of Warcraft team, Overwatch team, Diablo team, as well as over at Zenimax all unionising. However, it’s not all been smooth sailing, and while Microsoft didn’t object to unions forming, they have dragged their feet on engaging with collective bargaining and new contracts, drawing out the process. Thankfully, while it has taken time, contracts have belatedly been agreed, such as with Blizzard QA testers in February of this year.
We hope that Double Fine is able to follow in the successful path formed by others in their unionising efforts.
Source: Aftermath
