Sep 14, 2023

Communication Workers Union of America Supports Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Merger, Says It Will Make Union Formation Easier

The Communications Workers of America (CWA), a union of workers in telecommunications, media, and other fields, has filed an amicus brief in support of the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.

What is an amicus brief - An amicus brief is filed by an individual or party who wishes to formally express support for one side in an ongoing court case. Court of Appeals, which oversees the merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.

Why CWA is in favor of the merger - The union supports the merger to initiate a legally enforceable labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and CWA. If the merger is approved, the agreement would immediately allow all Activision Blizzard workers to freely discuss and begin working toward unionization. As an independent company, Activision Blizzard strongly opposes any attempt by its employees to organize.

What is the Labor Neutrality Agreement - This agreement was signed between CWA and Microsoft in June 2022. As part of the agreement, Microsoft promised non-interference if employees of its affiliated studios expressed interest in forming a union. The company will also facilitate communication between Microsoft employees and union representatives. The agreement also establishes a streamlined voting process, which it says will better protect employee confidentiality and privacy. Finally, the agreement includes a pledge by both parties to work together to resolve future disputes expeditiously and, if necessary, use an expedited arbitration process to settle the initial agreement. [According to CWA, Microsoft has already expressed its commitment to the agreement by extending the provision to its current employees; when the company acquired Zenimax Studios in 2020, Zenimax employees attempted to form a union, but Microsoft remained neutral. Its union now represents 300 workers and is the largest in the U.S. gaming industry. The union said that in situations where there are labor market concerns, agreements such as the Microsoft pact should be viewed as a preferred remedy. [The CWA's brief, filed Wednesday, states:

Unions can provide countervailing power to workers through collective bargaining agreements and thus address the issue of employers' market dominance. The labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the CWA... . benefits both workers and employers and represents a blueprint for labor-management relations in this industry. Microsoft is taking a proactive and aggressive approach to labor market issues and doing so in a meaningful and effective way.