ZeniMax Workers Union Voted Overwhelmingly To Authorize Strike at Microsoft

More than four months after ZeniMax Workers United went on strike against Microsoft over remote work and outsourcing policy last November, the union has voted overwhelmingly, by over 94% of the members, to authorize a strike at the parent company. 

The union, which was formed by over 300 QA workers in 2023, is the biggest union of game workers in North America and part of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). It has been in negotiations with Microsoft for nearly two years but has not reached a solution yet. 

ZeniMax Workers United-CWA Local 6215 Member and Senior QA Tester Zachary Armstrong have shared their requests: "None of us wishes it had come to this, but if Microsoft and ZeniMax continue to demonstrate at the bargaining table that they’re unwilling to pay us fair wages for the value our labor provides to our games, we'll be showing them just how valuable our labor is."

While on the other side, Microsoft said "substantial progress" has been achieved, with a spokesperson responding to the vote result, saying, "We have presented a package proposal that we believe is fair — if accepted it would result in immediate compensation increases, even more robust benefits and is in alignment to the company’s hybrid model of 3 days in office." (via Insider Gaming)

Notably, authorization of a strike doesn't mean a strike is coming immediately. Instead, the union can now call for it without a new vote.