QA workers at Microsoft subsidiary Raven Software have secured their first union contract after almost three years of bargaining.
The Game Workers Alliance-CWA (GWA-CWA) formed in January 2022 with assistance from the Communications Workers of America (CWA), becoming the first unit within Activision Blizzard to establish a union.
Now, after years of negotiating (and a high-profile merger that resulted in Microsoft purchasing Activision Blizzard), GWA-CWA has ratified a contract that will guarantee a 10 percent wage increase over two years with additional raises through merit and promotions.
It will also eliminate crunch and the need for seven days’ notice for mandatory overtime, while providing expanded disability accommodations and layoff protections including severance, recall rights, career transition services, and generous COBRA subsidies.
It’s a notable win for GWA-CWA, which currently includes 19 members. The union said the victory will ensure QA workers are finally valued.
“Going from organizing to sitting across the table from one of the largest tech corporations in the world was a huge learning curve, but we never lost sight of why we were there,” said Autumn Prazuch, QA tester at Raven Software and bargaining committee member.
“We fought hard for raises and job structures that will finally make QA a sustainable career path, and we were able to negotiate limitations on mandatory crunch. Ratifying this contract is a win for game workers everywhere who are ready to take the first step toward a better future.”
CWA says video game unions are “setting new standards”
CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton said the contract is proof that video game workers who organize can deliver “lasting changes in the workplace.”
“By reaching an agreement with Microsoft that puts limits on excessive sustained overtime, also known as crunch, these members are tackling one of the most exploitative practices in the industry and setting new standards for quality assurance testers and video game workers overall.” added Hinton. “We are pleased to welcome these members into the CWA District 4 family.”
The CWA has helped a number of Microsoft workers establish unions in recent years. Microsoft pledged to allow its employees to organize unimpeded after signing a labor neutrality agreement with the CWA to help push through its Activision Blizzard merger—although some union members have accused the company of dragging its feet during negotiations. Microsoft, for its part, refuted those claims.
GWA-CWA is the second Microsoft union to ratify a contract in 2025. Earlier this year, over 300 union workers at ZeniMax Media achieved the same feat after two years of negotiations. The contract delivered across-the-board wage increases, minimum salaries, and protections against arbitrary dismissal for members of ZeniMax Workers United-CWA.
Microsoft’s unionized employees remain in negotiations with the tech giant after it chose to make 9,000 people redundant, including many across its video game division. Speaking to Game Developer last month, a number ZeniMax staff—including some union workers—lambasted the company over its “inhumane” treatment of employees when announcing the cuts.
