Game On: ZeniMax Workers Strike for Remote Work and Against Outsourcing!

Overview of the Strike

Hundreds of Microsoft video game workers staged a one-day strike on Wednesday against ZeniMax Studios, the parent company of Bethesda, known for titles like Starfield, Fallout 76, and The Elder Scrolls. The strike was organized by ZeniMax Workers United (ZWU-CWA), a union affiliated with the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

Reasons for the Strike

The strike aimed to pressure Microsoft to negotiate on issues related to remote work and to address the ongoing practice of outsourcing quality assurance (QA) work. This follows similar demands raised by QA workers at Activision, another Microsoft subsidiary, who have also been advocating for remote work options.

Union Formation and Job Cuts

ZWU-CWA, formed in January 2023, represents over 300 QA workers. This move came amid significant layoffs in the gaming industry, with Microsoft cutting 1,900 jobs in January 2024 and an additional 650 in September. The gaming sector has seen over 23,000 job losses from January 2023 to September 2024, reflecting a troubling trend of downsizing.

The Role of the CWA

While the CWA has expressed a willingness to negotiate, critics argue that it has failed to protect workers' rights effectively. The union's approach has drawn skepticism, with claims that it merely seeks to secure dues rather than genuinely advocate for workers.

Outsourcing Concerns

The union's stance on outsourcing has been criticized as insufficient. While acknowledging that outsourcing has a role in testing and development, the ZWU-CWA's demand is primarily for prior notification rather than outright opposition to these practices.

AI and Workers' Rights

The union has reached a tentative agreement regarding the use of AI in the workplace, which they claim will enhance productivity without harming workers. However, there are concerns that this agreement lacks substantive protections against the potential impacts of AI on jobs.

Call for Independent Action

The article emphasizes that for workers to improve their conditions, they must consider forming independent rank-and-file committees that operate outside of union bureaucracy. These committees could foster solidarity among workers facing similar challenges across the industry.