ZeniMax Union and Microsoft Reach Landmark Agreement, Setting New Standards for Gaming Industry

ZeniMax union reaches tentative agreement with Microsoft

Unionized quality assurance workers on ZeniMax Media announced today that they had reached a tentative contract agreement with Microsoft, ZeniMax's parent company. The workers, who are represented by the Communication Workers of America, have spent two years negotiating this contract, which they say "sets new standards for the industry" including new wage agreements and policies on AI tools. According to the union, the new agreement includes new minimum wages, wage increases across the board, arbitrary dismissal protections, grievance procedures and a new crediting policy that ensures QA workers are included in a game's credits. The agreement also incorporates previously agreed-upon rules about the use of AI in the workplace. The CWA has previously reported that the lengthy negotiations had not proceeded because of disagreements over labor practices. The union members even voted to authorize a strike in April, noting that they hadn't been able to come to an accord with Microsoft over a lack of remote work options and the replacement of in-house workers with outsourced contract labor. CWA President Claude Cummings said in a statement, "Workers in the video game industry are demonstrating once again that collective power works. This agreement shows what's possible when workers stand together and refuse to accept the status quo. Whether it's having a say about the use of AI in the workplace, fighting for significant wage increases and fair crediting policies, or protecting workers from retaliation, our members have raised the bar. We're proud to support them every step of the way."

CWA negotiates new contract for ZeniMax including "substantial" wage increases and a credits policy for QA staff

"This agreement shows what's possible when workers stand together and refuse the status quo." The Communications Workers of America (CWA) says it has reached a "historic tentative contract agreement" with ZeniMax Media staff at Microsoft. In a statement, the union calls the deal a "first for the video game industry", and revealed it had been negotiating for a first contract for "nearly two years". "QA workers from across the country continue to lead the charge for industry-wide change," said Page Branson, Senior II QA Tester and ZeniMax Workers United-CWA bargaining committee member. "Going toe-to-toe with one of the largest corporations in the world isn't a small feat. This is a monumental victory for all current video game workers and for those that come after." The new contract is said to set "new standards for the industry" and includes "substantial across-the-board wage increases as well as new minimum salaries for workers". It also includes protections against arbitrary dismissal, grievance procedures, and a crediting policy that "clearly acknowledges the QA workers' contributions to the video games they help create", as well as a previously announced agreement on how artificial intelligence is introduced and implemented in the workplace. "Workers in the video game industry are demonstrating once again that collective power works. This agreement shows what's possible when workers stand together and refuse to accept the status quo," added CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. "Whether it's having a say about the use of AI in the workplace, fighting for significant wage increases and fair crediting policies, or protecting workers from retaliation, our members have raised the bar. We're proud to support them every step of the way." BREAKING: We have reached a historic first tentative contract agreement with Microsoft! cwa-union.org/news/release... [image or embed] -- CWA ( @cwaunion.bsky.social) May 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM Members can expect contract explanation meetings over the next few weeks, and a ratification vote is expected by 20th June. As game development becomes increasingly insecure all over the world, more and more developers and performers are organising collective bargaining. Following news of the SAG-AFTRA strike last year, Equity stated it stood "in solidarity", but would not be authorising a strike. It did, however, recently call on the games industry to improve conditions for performers, and a protest took place outside BAFTA Games Awards as Equity members held placards reading "Union contracts in gaming now". Last month, the US union warned of "alarming loopholes" for "AI abuse" in the latest proposal to end industrial action, while earlier this month, almost 200 Overwatch developers working at Activision Blizzard joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union after the "overwhelming majority" of workers signed up.