In a significant development, quality assurance (QA) testers at ZeniMax, a prominent video game subsidiary of Microsoft, have reached a tentative agreement on their first union contract with the tech giant. This marks the first-ever union contract at Microsoft in the United States since the company acquired ZeniMax in 2021.
The unionization effort, which began over two years ago with around 300 QA testers joining forces under the Communications Workers of America (CWA), has now resulted in a promising deal following prolonged negotiations.
As per reports, the proposed contract includes a substantial 13.5% salary increase effective July 1. It also formalizes previously discussed provisions regarding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in game development.
Union members are expected to vote on the ratification of the agreement on June 20. Speaking about the development, Page Branson, a QA tester and member of the union’s bargaining committee, described it as “a monumental victory for current and future video game workers.”
The move reflects a broader trend within Microsoft, as other divisions within its gaming business have also started forming unions. According to the CWA, more than 2,000 Microsoft gaming employees are now union members.
For Indian professionals and game development enthusiasts, this agreement underscores the growing emphasis on worker rights and fair practices within the global tech and gaming industries, a trend that could influence policies and labor relations in India’s own burgeoning gaming sector.
