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Activision Blizzard recognises Raven QA union

Activision Blizzard recognises Raven QA union

US publishing giant Activision Blizzard has said it recognises the union set up by quality assurance workers at Raven Software.

In a note to investors, CEO Robert Kotick (pictured) said that the company would begin negotiations with the Communications Workers of America, the parent organisation of the newly-formed Game Workers Alliance.

The union was formed in May following a 19-3 vote within Raven's QA department. Activision Blizzard previously failed to voluntarily recognise the union earlier in 2022.

"With the election having concluded, we will engage in good faith negotiations to enter into a collective bargaining agreement," Kotick said.

"While first labour contracts can take some time to complete, we will meet CWA leaders at the bargaining table and work toward an agreement that supports the success of all our employees, that further strengthens our commitment to create the industry's best, most welcoming and inclusive workplace, and enhances our ability to deliver world class games for our players."

The formation of the union was the result of Activision Blizzard laying off a number of employees at Raven's QA department.

Xbox – which is in the process of acquiring Activision Blizzard – has said that it too will recognise the Game Workers Alliance.


PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.