Microsoft Recognizes ZeniMax Studios Union Following ‘Supermajority’ Vote

ZeniMax Studios is home to a supermajority of quality control workers. This includes several studios such as Arkane and Bethesda. They have voted for the ZeniMax Workers United/Communication Workers of Amerca union. 

Roughly 300 QA workers at ZeniMax voted to indicate they wish to join this union, equating to a supermajority vote, and Microsoft has opted to recognize it. Microsoft announced last month that it will recognize unions if workers decide to unite. ZeniMax, the first Microsoft studio to join the umbrella of Microsoft teams, is now home to the largest unionized QA testing group at any US-based Studio. 

Victoria Banos is a senior QA-audio tester and writes, “Before we are an opportunity to do big changes to bring equity to videogame industry,” in a CWA Press Release. We want to end sudden periods of stress, unjust pay and a lack of opportunities for growth within the company. The union will advocate for competitive wages, improved communication between managers and employees, and a clear pathway for anyone who wants to advance their career. 

CWA wrote that ZeniMax QA workers have “been organizing for months to positively change ZeniMax for workers, company and players.” In November these workers started signing union authorization card (you can choose to either turn one in and vote or sign it online). The official voting closed December 31, and began on December 2. 

According to CWA’s labor principles, Microsoft has been neutral throughout this process. Workers can make their own unionization decisions. 

“Microsoft has lived up to its commitment to its workers and let them decide for themselves whether they want a union,” CWA president Chris Shelton writes in the press release. When they form a union, other tech and videogame giants make a conscious decision to demoralize, attack and undermine their employees. Microsoft will take a completely different path, which will help it to improve its corporate culture as well as its ability to provide customer service. This should be a role model for others in the sector and a guide for regulators. 

Dylan Burton, senior ZeniMax QA tester, says it’s hard to convey in words just how important this victory over unionization is. 

Burton writes, “We are aware that this is not the end for our hard work. But reaching this milestone gives our faith in workers standing together to achieve anything we set our mind to.” 

ZeniMax Workers United joins other companies like Activision and Apple who have organized through CWA.