Blizzard’s Overwatch Team Unionizes With Nearly 200 Developers
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- Nearly 200 developers on the Overwatch 2 team at Blizzard joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
- Massive layoffs prompted unionization from Blizzard employees.
- Over 2,600 workers at Microsoft-owned studios have formed a union with the CWA.
Nearly 200 developers on the Overwatch 2 team at Blizzard joined the CWA, according to a CWA press release. The cause of unionization is largely attributed to the massive layoffs affecting the video game industry.
“The massive layoffs in the video game industry, and at my own studio, became one of the first reasons I started to learn about how to organize to create a healthier workplace for everyone,” shared Frank Le Cocq, VFX artist at Blizzard. He is also an organizing committee member.
The sentiment was shared by the vast majority of Blizzard developers who joined the CWA. Union members are fighting for a seat at the table, where they can work with leadership to build better, more sustainable working conditions.
“Ultimately, when we’re supported and thriving, we can deliver the best possible experiences to our players, which is what brought all of us here in the first place,” said Jess Castillo, senior test analyst II and organizing committee member.
The CWA reportedly includes over 2,600 workers at Microsoft-owned studios; the union includes ZeniMax workers, who stand ready to strike in case contract negotiations with Microsoft go unfavorably.
