ZeniMax Online Studios workers form latest video game union with CWA

On the night of The Game Awards 2024, an overwhelming majority of video game workers at Microsoft’s ZeniMax Online Studios have indicated that they wish to join ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS) United-CWA either by signing a union authorization card or voting via an online portal. In accordance with its stated labor principles, Microsoft has recognized the union, signaling a significant victory for workers’ rights in the industry.

ZeniMax Online Studios is a video game production company known for the popular multiplayer game Elder Scrolls Online. While a majority of workers are based in Maryland, workers are located all across the country, including California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. With 461 members, ZOS United-CWA will include web developers, designers, engineers, and graphic artists.

“Today, I’m intensely proud of my coworkers at ZeniMax Online Studios who are joining thousands of video game workers exercising their power to bring more stability to the industry,” said principal economy designer and ZOS United-CWA member John Hartzell. “Regardless of your studio, your title, or where you’re from, unions work to benefit us all."

With a union, workers will be able to collectively push for real improvements to the workplace to ensure just working conditions, including job security amid record layoffs, protections against AI, better pay, and benefits.

“By coming together and forming a union, we’re able to take a powerful step forward in ensuring a better future for ourselves and for our families, to create protections against layoffs and workplace exploitation, and to provide additional layers of support for workers beyond what FMLA and workplace policies already provide,” said senior motion graphics artist and ZOS United-CWA member Alyssa Gobelle. “At ZeniMax, unions belong here.”

The announcement of ZOS United-CWA marks the latest update in organizing the tech and video game industry, as over 6,000 workers in the United States and Canada have organized with the Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) since launching in 2020. Workers at ZeniMax Online Studios join the wave of video game and tech workers at Microsoft, Alphabet, Apple, and dozens of other companies who have organized with CODE-CWA to build a better workplace.

“I’m excited to finally see workers have a say in the workplace. Other employers have made a choice to undermine and attack workers who want to collectively improve their working conditions. However, with a union at ZeniMax, we can build a community where we have each other’s backs,” said encounter designer and ZOS United-CWA member Billy Eichner. “We already work together to make great games. Why not work together to make a great workplace?”

Follow ZOS United-CWA on Bluesky and X at @ZOSUnited.

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ZeniMax Online Studios workers form latest video game union with CWA (CWA, Dec. 12, 2024)