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Microsoft to convert contractor group to unionized full-timers

The decision was part of ongoing talks with the CWA and ZeniMax Workers United

Microsoft is converting a cohort of contracted game workers into unionized staffers.

As reported by Bloomberg, the ZeniMax Workers United group of 77 will see 23 staffers become full-time employees. They will receive a wage increase of 22%.

The others will gain temporary roles at the tech giant, with $2.75 hourly raises, as well as paid sick days.

In a statement sent to Bloomberg, Microsoft vice president Amy Pannoni said, "We look forward to continued good faith negotiations as we work towards a collective bargaining agreement," Microsoft Vice President Amy Pannoni said in an emailed statement."

In January, Zenimax Workers United and the Communications Workers of America announced that a supermajority of roughly 300 QA developers across Zenimax's US operations favored unionization.

Microsoft recognized the union and has been in negotiations since April, according to the CWA. As a part of those talks, Microsoft agreed that a group of 77 contractors would become staffers represented by the union.

Back in October, the tech firm reiterated its labor neutrality agreement after acquiring Activision Blizzard.

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Jeffrey Rousseau avatar
Jeffrey Rousseau: Jeffrey joined GamesIndustry.biz in March 2021. Based in Florida, his work focused on the intersectionality of games and media. He enjoys reading, podcasts, staying informed, and learning how people are tackling issues.
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