Activision doesn't recognize Raven union, forces NLRB election process

Activision does not recognize the new Raven Software games workers union, forcing an National Labor Relations Board election.

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Activision-Blizzard refuses to formally recognize the Game Workers Alliance, the proposed union of Raven Software's QA team, forcing a National Labor Relations Board election process.

Activision doesn't recognize Raven union, forces NLRB election process 433

Days ago, 34 people at Raven Software's QA team formally asked Activision-Blizzard to recognize their newly-formed union. The Game Workers Alliance, the QA testers became collectively known, would be the first video games union in the United States.

Raven's QA team ended their weeks-long work stoppage after the intent to unionize became known. The strike affected critical testing in Call of Duty Warzone, one of Activision-Blizzard's most lucrative video games.

Activision-Blizzard refused to recognize the union through this initial declaration.

"The most important thing to the company is that each eligible employee has the opportunity to have their voice heard and their individual vote counted, and we think all employees at Raven should have a say in this decision," an Activision-Blizzard rep told Bloomberg.

Now The Game Workers Alliance has to go through the NLRB election process in order to be legally certified as a union.

Here's how it works: Under the NLRB's terms, the entire Raven Software studio will vote on whether or not to recognize the GWA union. GWA has to get the majority vote from the entire studio, which is about 350 employees.

"To start the election process, a petition and associated documents must be filed, preferably electronically, with the nearest NLRB Regional Office showing support for the petition from at least 30% of employees. NLRB agents will then investigate to make sure the Board has jurisdiction, the union is qualified, and there are no existing labor contracts or recent elections that would bar an election.

Shortly after the petition is filed, the employer is required to post a Notice of Petition for Election in conspicuous places, including all places where notices to employees are customarily posted. If the employer customarily communicates with employees in the petitioned-for unit through electronic means, the employer must also distribute the Notice of Petition for Election electronically to those employees."

It's worth noting that there are two open cases filed to the NLRB concerning Activision-Blizzard"

31-CA-287568 - 8(a)(1) Coercive Statements (Threats, Promises of Benefits, etc.)

31-CA-285511

  • 8(a)(1) Coercive Rules
  • 8(a)(1) Coercive Actions (Surveillance, etc)
  • 8(a)(1) Coercive Statements (Threats, Promises of Benefits, etc.)
  • 8(a)(1) Concerted Activities (Retaliation, Discharge, Discipline)
  • 8(a)(1) Interrogation (including Polling)
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Derek joined the TweakTown team in 2015 and has since reviewed and played 1000s of hours of new games. Derek is absorbed with the intersection of technology and gaming, and is always looking forward to new advancements. With over six years in games journalism under his belt, Derek aims to further engage the gaming sector while taking a peek under the tech that powers it. He hopes to one day explore the stars in No Man's Sky with the magic of VR.

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