After two years of tricky negotiations, unionized workers at Blizzard have secured a major, company-wide contract covering almost 2,000 employees across multiple teams. This includes those working on franchises like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and Hearthstone.
The agreement brings workers under a shared, unified set of rights and protections rather than separate contracts for individual teams. It marks a major milestone in a prolonged bargaining process that has seen workers go so far as to accuse Blizzard and Microsoft of delaying negotiations.
Blizzard Workers Hit Major Milestone in Contract Journey
In recent months, Blizzard employees have been mobilizing as a solid group, holding recurring demonstrations outside the company’s Irvine campus. This weekend, this year’s BlizzCon showcase will land, the proximity of which added pressure, with it being assumed that public scrutiny could surface if no agreements were reached.
One of the contract’s biggest achievements is stronger protection against layoffs, arguably the most important part of the entire ordeal.
Workers will receive at least four weeks of severance, plus an additional week for every six months wrked, up to 39 weeks, which could result in a handsome payout should layoffs land.
Employees also secured recall rights lasting 14 months, allowing qualified workers who are laid off from one Blizzard team to potentially return to the company through an opening on another team.
There are also ‘just cause’ limitations ratified as part of the agreement, which limits the circumstances under which employees can be dismissed. Additionally, remote workers have extra protection, as they’ll be able to stay remote, plus any existing hybrid schedules will be further protected.
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New salary floors have been established, and some workers will receive substantial raises; as much as 34%, in some cases.
Finally, AI protection has come into play. Blizzard must consult with unions before introdcing any AI technology that affects working conditions.
It’s effectively a full sweep for Blizzard’s employees.
Are you surprised to see this contact signed so heavily in favor of the employees? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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