The QA crew has gained its vote to unionize

One other union has efficiently gained its vote to unionize at Activision Blizzard. High quality assurance employees at Blizzard Albany have voted 14-0 to unionize.

The crew of about 20 QA employees voted 14 sure, with none towards and 18 eligible voters. Through Polygon, the NLRB says three votes had been challenged.

Events concerned have 5 days to file objections. In any other case, the bargaining course of will start. The account for the union, Recreation Employees Alliance Albany, tweeted out the victory earlier in the present day.

WE WON!

— GWA Albany (@WeAreGWAAlbany) December 2, 2022

This makes the QA crew at Blizzard Albany the second to unionize beneath Activision Blizzard, alongside the crew at Raven Software program. Raven’s QA staff voted to unionize in Could this 12 months, marking a serious milestone for unionization inside AAA studios.

“It took an unbelievable quantity of labor and perseverance to maneuver this battle ahead,” mentioned Blizzard Albany affiliate check analyst Amanda Deep in a assertion by way of THR. “With this victory, we’re advocating for ourselves and one another as a result of we care deeply about our work and the video games we make. Organizing has empowered all of us to battle laborious for the dignity and respect each employee deserves on the job.”

Blizzard Albany’s QA employees introduced their intent to unionize in July, working with the Communication Employees of America (CWA). The crew obtained approval to carry its unionization vote from the Nationwide Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in October, regardless of opposition from Activision Blizzard. The writer additionally pushed to carry off on validating the votes till its attraction on the earlier choice had been heard. The NLRB formally denied the request.

A brand new union within the video games trade

Previously often called Vicarious Visions, Blizzard Albany is engaged on the Diablo franchise, together with Diablo IV.

An Activision Blizzard spokesperson gave The Verge the next assertion:

We’re contemplating all choices, with a give attention to what’s finest for all staff and to offer the most effective video games for our hundreds of thousands of gamers. We nonetheless imagine our total Albany crew ought to have the fitting to vote. That is about elementary equity and rights for each member of the crew.

This marks the second Activision Blizzard union to kind, within the wake of ongoing scrutiny of the writer and a possible Microsoft acquisition looming overhead.