Vortex Gaming

The 'World of Warcraft (WoW)' development team at Blizzard, which is developing and servicing the game, has formed a new labor union today (25th). According to the Communications Workers of America (CWA), more than 500 'WoW' development team members have joined the union, and MS and Blizzard have also acknowledged this. The official name of the new union is 'World of Warcraft Game Workers Alliance (WoWGG-CWA)'.

Eric Lanham, a test analyst and member of the union, said, "What we've accomplished in 'WoW' is just the beginning," and "We are embarking on a quest to secure better pay, benefits, and job security. We know that workers having protected voices is good for employees, studios, and all 'WoW' fans looking for the best gaming experience. We are ready to overcome all obstacles, heal all wounds, and perform DPS through the challenges ahead through the union."

Tom Smith, Senior Director of Organizing at CWA, said, "The decision of 'WoW' workers to form a union marks an important turning point in a broader movement across the video game industry," and "It signifies the growing power of worker solidarity across the industry, from AAA studios like Sega and Bethesda to indie developers," conveying the significance of the 'WoWGG-CWA' formation.

Meanwhile, an MS spokesperson said regarding the union's formation, "We continue to support our employees' right to choose how they want to represent themselves in the workplace, and we will negotiate in good faith with the CWA as we work towards a collective bargaining agreement," expressing their support.

Finally, the CWA stated, "This victory demonstrates the expansion of worker organization in the video game industry, and we hope that other video game workers will be inspired to form unions and raise industry-wide expectations for wages, benefits, and respect for worker rights," expressing their hope that more video game unions will be formed in the future.

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2024-07-25