NLRB Decision Leads to Historic Raven Software Union Vote

Raven Software’s Quality Assurance staff, as a 21-strong unit, will vote on whether to unionize the National Labor Relations Board decided on Friday. The decision comes after Raven’s owner, Activision Blizzard, questioned the organization’s efforts and tried to get the entire 230-strong studio to vote on the union.

All eligible Raven Software QA personnel will receive ballots in the mail on April 29, and the ballots will be tallied on May 23, the NLRB said. If a large majority of eligible workers vote yes, their union, called the Game Workers Alliance, will enter into contract negotiations with Activision Blizzard.

QA staff from Activision Blizzard and Raven Software have been awaiting a decision from the NLRB since a hearing in February. In testimony during that hearing, Raven Software management and workers were questioned about the January studio restructuring that related to unionized workers.

A spokesman for Activision Blizzard told Polygon that the company was reviewing its options regarding a possible appeal. The full explanation is as follows:

While we respect the NLRB process, we are disappointed that a decision that could have a significant impact on the future of our entire studio is being made by less than 10% of our employees. We believe that a direct relationship with team members is the best way to achieve individual and organizational goals. We are examining legal options regarding a possible legal remedy.

Taking to social media, Raven Software’s QA staff expressed their excitement at the OK to vote. The group thanked supporters in a Twitter message: “We are so proud to announce that the NLRB has decided that our unit is eligible,” the group wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign from our first strike to this moment! Time for democracy!”

Raven Software’s union push, in partnership with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), began in January after workers went on strike after a group of Raven Software contract workers were told they would not be among the 500 employees who would be transferred to new full-time positions were converted last year. The NLRB hearing on the scope of the union began shortly after Activision Blizzard refused to voluntarily recognize the group.

Since then, Activision Blizzard announced its intention to convert an additional 1,000 QA employees into full-time positions, increase their wages to $20 an hour, and give QA employees access to bonuses and benefits. Raven Software’s QA staff weren’t offered the same raises back then; Activision Blizzard claimed this was due to “legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act.”

QA and contract workers in the video game industry are often referred to as the unskilled department. In August, Activision Blizzard Polygon QA staff told Polygon that the QA contract cycles have created a system that makes it difficult for workers to advance or feel stable in their careers, in addition to the low pay and intense crisis affecting their Jobs is typical. The Raven workers’ win on Friday is therefore a landmark decision with the potential to impact the video game industry at large.

Microsoft is preparing to acquire Activision Blizzard in a $68.7 billion deal under review by state regulators. Activision boss Bobby Kotick who was confronted calls for the resignation of Activision Blizzard employees and the press (including this outlet) will continue to run the company, at least until the Microsoft deal is finalized.