Staffers at Activision subsidiary Raven Software, which helps create the “Call of Duty" video game series, approved a proposal to unionize on Monday. Credit: Thinkstock Workers at a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard voted to unionize on Monday, establishing the first union at a large US video game publisher. Software quality assurance workers at Activision’s Raven Software division, which works on the “Call of Duty” series, voted 19 to 3 in favor of unionization and will be represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The vote, counted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), applies to a segment of workers at Raven, which employs around 350 people. The NLRB previously rejected Activision’s demand that a union election include all workers. This week’s vote is the latest in a string of unionization efforts that have been under way at other technology firms in recent months, including retail workers at Apple stores and Amazon warehouse workers. Technology staff have also unionized at organizations, such as “The New York Times,” where staff voted 404 to 88 in favor of creating a union that represents around 600 software engineers, data analysts and other workers. The decision to unionize at raven Software follows months of organizing by Raven workers. The organizers formed the Game Workers Alliance in January to represent workers following a five-week strike over Activision’s decision to lay off 12 quality assurance testers. The Game Workers Alliance action was backed by the CWA. “Our biggest hope is that our union serves as inspiration for the growing movement of workers organizing at video game studios to create better games and build workplaces that reflect our values and empower all of us,” workers in the union at Activision said in a statement. “We look forward to working with management to positively shape our working conditions and the future of Activision Blizzard through a strong union contract.” The company, in a statement, reiterated that wanted any union vote to be conducted among all of its workers: “We respect and believe in the right of all employees to decide whether or not to support or vote for a union. We believe that an important decision that will impact the entire Raven Software studio of roughly 350 people should not be made by 19 Raven employees.” Activision is set to be acquired by Microsoft in a $68.7 billion deal that was approved by Activision shareholders in April. The acquisition is set to close by June 2023. Related content opinion GenAI is to data visibility what absolute zero is to a hot summer day Given the plethora of privacy rules already in place in Europe, how are companies with shiny, new, not-understood genAI tools supposed to comply? (Hint: they can’t.) By Evan Schuman May 06, 2024 6 mins Data Privacy GDPR Generative AI news How many jobs are available in technology in the US? Tech unemployment was down slightly in April, but AI hiring was up — way up. And job listings showed more signs of a shift in recruiting practices with a growing emphasis on skills-based hiring. By Lucas Mearian May 06, 2024 160 mins Remote Work Salaries Financial Services Industry news With its new iPad, Apple's Empire strikes back Apple is preparing to introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models as it seeks to regain momentum in the tablet market. By Jonny Evans May 06, 2024 5 mins iPad Apple Tablets opinion Can AI tools help reduce Zoom fatigue? When it comes to meetings, whether in person or on video, can anything make them better? Yes, but it’s not the technology. By Steven Vaughan-Nichols May 06, 2024 5 mins Augmented Reality Generative AI Zoom Video Communications Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe