"Significant Developments Unfold": Following Microsoft's termination of 9,000 employees, developers of Call of Duty vote to approve union contract, ensuring pay increases, as the publisher vigorously pursues AI integration
In a significant move, Microsoft, the parent company of Call of Duty developer Raven Software, has ratified a union contract with 19 QA testers. This union contract marks a major shift in job security and working conditions for the QA testers, providing them with a more stable and balanced work environment.
Job Security Enhancements
The contract provides layoff protections with severance pay, recall rights, COBRA health insurance subsidies, and career transition services. It also bridges time worked as temporary or contract employees into full-time credit, strengthening long-term employment stability.
Improved Working Conditions
The agreement eliminates crunch time, requiring seven days' notice before any mandatory overtime, prohibiting excessive overtime on consecutive weeks, and disallowing mandatory overtime for the majority of weeks in a quarter. This substantially reduces burnout risk and unpredictability in work hours.
Defined Career Paths
Job descriptions are now formally defined, and the promotions process will be transparent and fair, addressing earlier issues of stagnant wages and advancement. This comes after nearly four years without promotions and 18 months without wage increases.
Wage Increases
A guaranteed 10 percent wage increase over two years plus additional raises through merit or promotions, reversing previous years of frozen pay, is included in the contract.
Expanded Disability Accommodations
The contract expands disability protections, reflecting greater workplace inclusivity and support.
Overall, the contract marks a major shift by legally securing protections that were previously lacking and greatly improving the livelihoods and work-life balance of Raven Software QA testers after a three-year unionization effort. It also sets a precedent for unionized game workers under Microsoft, potentially influencing future contracts in digital media industries.
In other news, Microsoft confirmed a revenue of $27 billion after laying off 9,000 people. The company's CEO, Satya Nadella, emphasizes the importance of Cloud and AI as the driving force of business transformation across all industries and sectors. In a recent memo, Nadella asked employees to reimagine the company's mission in the era of AI. However, the ratification of the union contract with the QA testers seems to indicate a more balanced approach towards employee welfare within the company.
[1] Polygon. (2023, March 15). Raven Software QA testers unionize with Communication Workers of America. Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2023/3/15/22960498/raven-software-qa-testers-unionize-communications-workers-of-america
[2] Gamespot. (2023, March 15). Raven Software QA testers unionize with CWA. Gamespot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/raven-software-qa-testers-unionize-with-cwa/1100-6499604/
[3] Kotaku. (2023, March 15). Raven Software QA Testers Unionize with CWA. Kotaku. https://kotaku.com/raven-software-qa-testers-unionize-with-cwa-1849551498
[4] IGN. (2023, March 15). Raven Software QA Testers Unionize with CWA. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/raven-software-qa-testers-unionize-with-cwa
[5] VGC. (2023, March 15). Raven Software QA Testers Unionize with CWA. VGC. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/raven-software-qa-testers-unionize-with-cwa/
- The union contract with Raven Software QA testers, a significant move by Microsoft, brings notable shifts in job security and working conditions.
- The agreement between the QA testers and Microsoft includes layoff protections, severance pay, and career transition services, enhancing job security for these employees.
- The new contract also defines job descriptions and creates a transparent promotions process, addressing stagnant wages and advancement issues.
- Wage increases, including a guaranteed 10 percent raise over two years, are promised in the contract, reversing previous years of frozen pay.
- Moreover, the contract expands disability protections, reflecting a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
- In addition to the unionized QA testers, the contract's provisions may set a precedent for other game workers under Microsoft, potentially influencing future contracts in digital media industries.
- Meanwhile, Microsoft reported a revenue of $27 billion after laying off 9,000 people. The company's CEO, Satya Nadella, emphasized the importance of Cloud and AI in business transformation across all industries.
- However, the ratification of the union contract with the QA testers seems to indicate a more employee-centric approach by Microsoft, balancing financial goals with employee welfare within the company.
