Around 1,900 unionized workers at Blizzard Entertainment have voted to ratify their first union contract, Eurogamer reported, closing out years of negotiations with the World of Warcraft publisher.
The contract covers union-represented staff across the World of Warcraft, Warcraft Rumble, Hearthstone, Overwatch and Diablo teams, as well as Blizzard's QA, Platform and Technology, and Story and Franchise Development units. Unionization efforts at the studio began years ago and have grown steadily since.
AI bargaining and layoff protections
The Communications Workers of America, which called the agreement "historic", said the contract requires Blizzard to "discuss, evaluate, and bargain over the usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace". That brings the use of generative AI in game development into the bargaining process rather than leaving it to the company alone. GameSpot reported that the contract stipulates Microsoft cannot use AI to automate or replace jobs without first talking to the union.
On layoffs, the union said the contract gives staff "the right to be 'recalled' into open positions across any Blizzard bargaining unit for 14 months from the date of their layoff announcement", which Eurogamer described as a first for the video game industry. Union members also secured an additional four weeks of severance in the event of layoffs, which GameSpot reported applies regardless of how long a laid-off worker was at the company. GameSpot said the recall provision means Blizzard must offer laid-off members an open role within 14 months, inside the union's network, before hiring someone from outside.
GameSpot reported the contract also delivers guaranteed wage increases, hybrid schedules that let members work from home, and formal systems to settle workplace disputes. Citing an interview Blizzard workers gave Aftermath, GameSpot said negotiations with Microsoft dragged on, and that mobilizing outside Blizzard headquarters helped seal the deal. GameSpot also relayed a statement CWA president Claude Cummings, Jr. gave to Game Developer: "It's a new day at Blizzard, where greater power for workers is translating into more innovative games for players."
This contract marks the beginning of a new era at Blizzard Entertainment, but it doesn't stop with us. I look forward to the day that everyone in the industry can enjoy the protections that this contract affords us, like increased severance and recall rights in the event of a layoff and the ability to grieve injustices in the workplace.
Blizzard president Johanna Faries said in a statement given to Kotaku that the agreement "marks a significant milestone and reflects our shared commitment to continuing to work together in support of our teams and our players".
The vote follows Xbox's cuts of 1,600 jobs across its subsidiaries, with a further 1,600 announced. Eurogamer reported that Blizzard staff were seemingly unaffected by that round.