(ALBANY, NEW YORK) — Quality Assurance Workers employed at Blizzard Albany have won their Union Election in a unanimous vote of 14-to-0 vote and will be represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Union Officials announced.

This CWA organizing victory comes despite Activision’s aggressive Union-Busting Campaign, including their request that votes be impounded, CWA Representatives said.

The Workers Unit, which will be known as Albany Game Workers Alliance/CWA, are the second group to win Union Representation at Activision Blizzard

Amanda Deep, an Associate Test Analyst at Blizzard Albany, said: “It took an unbelievable amount of work and perseverance to move this fight forward.  With this victory, we’re advocating for ourselves and each other because we care deeply about our work and the games we make. Organizing has empowered all of us to fight hard for the dignity and respect every Worker deserves on the job.  Our colleagues at Raven inspired us when they announced the formation of the Game Workers Alliance/CWA.  We can only hope that our win will continue to grow the Labor Movement at other Video Game Studios across the country,”

In May, Quality Assurance Workers at Raven Software Studio in Wisconsin became the first certified Union at Activision Blizzard.

However, after the company publicly embraced the results of the Raven Union Election, Activision quickly backpedaled when the Quality Assurance Workers in Albany asked for Union Representation.

In fact, the company made several efforts to thwart organizing efforts - including a company-wide Slack message disparaging the Union, which prompted the CWA to file an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Charge. 

CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens said: “Albany Blizzard Workers never wavered in the face of adversity.  Instead, they remained resilient and steadfast, which is a testament to the organizing they’ve done to ensure Quality Assurance Workers are treated with fairness and respect for the work that they do.  Quality Assurance Workers at Blizzard Albany and Raven Software have elevated the conversation around Unions in the Video Game Industry and they’ve also opened the door for other studios to organize.  We’re incredibly proud to welcome Albany Game Workers Alliance/CWA into our Union.” 

Workers across the Video Game Industry are collectivizing to reject burn out culture, crunch, wage discrepancies and more.

Game Workers Alliance/CWA will empower Blizzard Quality Assurance Workers and secure a contract that ensures competitive and fair compensation, better benefits, and establishes transparency without fear of retaliation, Union Officials said.

The Workers, meanwhile, are looking forward to having transparent contract negotiations with management that will ensure they are protected and compensated for their work, the CWA said.

To Directly Access This Organizing Labor News Story, Go To: https://code-cwa.org/stories/quality-assurance-workers-blizzard-albany