Bethesda Game Studios employees have joined the Communications Workers of America (CWA), marking the first time a Microsoft video game studio has formed a comprehensive union. This “wall-to-wall” union includes a diverse group of 241 workers spanning various roles such as artists, engineers, programmers, and designers. Bethesda is known for popular titles like Starfield, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout.
Microsoft has officially recognized the union, integrating the Maryland office employees into CWA Locals 2108 and those in Texas into CWA Locals 6215. Bethesda Senior System Designer, Mandi Parker, expressed excitement about joining the broader labor movement within the video game industry, emphasizing the benefits of workplace democracy and the potential for positively influencing working conditions and the company as a whole.
Bethesda Game Studios Forms Union, A First for Microsoft’s Video Game Division
The unionization of Bethesda workers is part of a larger trend in the gaming industry. In January 2023, ZeniMax Studios’ quality assurance workers, part of Bethesda’s parent company, formed a union with 300 members, which was then the largest in the industry. However, this record was surpassed by 600 Activision quality assurance workers who joined the CWA later that year.
Bethesda’s unionization reflects a significant shift in the video game industry, where workers are increasingly organizing to secure better working conditions and a stronger voice in their workplaces. The successful recognition of the union by Microsoft indicates a growing acceptance of labor unions within major tech companies.
This movement towards unionization within the gaming industry underscores a broader trend of employees seeking greater protection and representation. As more workers join unions, it highlights a collective effort to improve job security, working conditions, and overall workplace democracy.
