As Bloomberg explains, there is still a small asterisk to take into account in this announcement, namely that the increase to 20 dollars per hour minimum does not concern those who have decided to unionize in stride. efforts by employees of Raven Software (Call of Duty: Warzone) to get a voice in the game. According to Activision Blizzard management, unionized employees are not eligible for the raise”due to our legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act“, can we read.
The press release sent to journalists by Activision Blizzard did not mention this small nuance, which obviously does not please the militant employees of Raven Software. While the conversion of more than 1,000 temporary contracts to full-time positions is seen as a major victory, the failure of management to give unionized workers a raise is seen as an anti-union tactic aimed at dividing workers.
“It’s not surprising, but nonetheless disappointing, that Activision chose to exclude Raven Software’s quality assurance workers, who have been on the front lines of pushing for better pay and benefits, from the wage increase. The company’s claim that the National Labor Relations Act prevents Activision from including Raven Software’s QA workers is just a ploy to punish us for choosing to stand in solidarity with our fellow workers. Activision’s announcement is further proof of the need for ALL Activision Blizzard workers to have a protected voice in the workplace. We urge Activision Blizzard to rectify this situation and respect our legally protected right to organize.“, reacts the union Game Workers Alliance on Twitter.
Last December, Activision had already converted 500 temporary contracts into full-time positions, while terminating the contracts of 20 employees in the quality assurance department. It was this last gesture that gave rise to a wind of revolt among employees who were already dissatisfied with their working conditions and led to the creation of a union, an activity particularly frowned upon in the world of work in the United States, as much because of certain laws that lobbies and the obvious ill will of companies on this subject. Activision Blizzard has so far refused to recognize the Game Workers Alliance union formed by Raven Software employees and the National Labor Relations Board is still studying the file.
The full-time hiring of these 1,100 employees responds, according to Activision Blizzard, to the need to strengthen the team in charge of the Call of Duty franchise, at a time when it has moved from an annual release model. to that of an ecosystem”constantly active” because powered by regular updates carried out throughout the year. This is valid not only for the annual episode but also for free-to-play Call of Duty: Warzone, which will also be available on mobile. In addition to strengthening its internal team, Activision Blizzard will use external partners to further strengthen its quality assurance department.
For those hoping to climb the ladder in the video game world, quality assurance jobs are considered entry points at the very bottom of the ladder. However, throughout the sector, these workers frequently complain of low wages, overwork, a feeling of exclusion and uncertainty about the duration of their contract, recalls Bloomberg.
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