Doom and Quake powerhouse id Software is now proudly home to a “wall-to-wall” union, as confirmed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The unionization of a group of 165 id workers has been announced, joining the ranks of the 300 ZeniMax quality assurance staff who unionized back in 2023.
Microsoft has already acknowledged this latest union, consisting of “developers, artists, programmers, and more,” in line with the labor neutrality agreement established between the two parties in 2022, as stated in the CWA’s press release.
Andrew Willis, id Software producer and CWA organizing committee member, emphasized the significance of the wall-to-wall organizing effort, highlighting the importance of developers uniting to challenge unilateral workplace changes imposed by industry executives.
Chris Hays, id lead services programmer and CWA committee member, pointed out the importance of remote work for the well-being of staff, emphasizing that it is not merely a perk but a necessity for health, family, and accessibility needs. He stressed that policies regarding remote work should consider these crucial factors.
The CWA release also highlighted industry challenges such as mass layoffs, intense periods of crunch time, and unfair pay as driving forces behind the broader movement towards unionization among developers in the industry. The total number of unionized workers within Microsoft’s realm now stands at “nearly 4,000.”
CWA president Ron Swaggerty expressed eagerness to engage in negotiations with Microsoft to establish a contract that recognizes the skill, creativity, and dedication of these workers in every project.
For more insights into CWA’s unionization efforts amid the ongoing challenges faced by developers in the gaming industry, check out Nic’s interview.
In a show of solidarity, members of the industry-wide union announced by CWA earlier this year staged a protest outside The Game Awards, aiming to honor closed video game studios and condemn the stifling of creativity by corporate greed and studio executives.
We stand in solidarity with the id Software workers who have taken this important step towards ensuring fair treatment and representation in the gaming industry.
