Today, more than 300 associated quality employees at Zenimax Media, who are working on everything, from Elder to Doom, announced that it has reached a preliminary contract with Microsoft’s parent company on the first contract from the establishment of a union two years ago.
Zenimax Workers United, which is associated as part of the Workers of America (CWA) communication, stated that the contract includes “significant wage increases in the meantime”, “minimum remuneration, protection against arbitrary release, complaint procedures, security related to the use of artificial intelligence, which could affect employees, as well as the principle of recognition to ensure that employees are appropriate in games.
Zenimax Media is the owner of the publisher of Bethesda Softworks and Development Studios Bethesda Game Studios (The Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Starfield), ID Software (Doom, Quake and Rage), Arkane (Shamened, Victims and Redfall), Machinegames (Wolfenstein, Indian Jones Great Circle) and Zenimax (The Elder Scrolls Online). Microsoft purchased Zenimax Media for $ 8.1 billion in March 2021 and serves them in the Microsoft Games Department.
“Video games have been a titan of the revenues of the entire entertainment industry for years, and employees who develop these games are used too often because of their passion and creativity,” said Jesee Leese, a member of the Committee for Receipt.
“Organizing relationships, negotiations of the contract and talking to one collective voice allowed employees to recover autonomy, which we all deserve. Our first contract is an invitation to professionals from video games to take action. We are those who create these games and we are the ones to set modern standards regarding truthful treatment.”
Zenimax Qa Workers first associated in January 2023, after groups in Raven Software and Blizzard Albany, after Microsoft pledged to the neutrality of the labor force. However, the road to the contract was difficult. In November last year, employees went to a one -day strike, citing a lack of progress at the tender table regarding remote protection of work and allegations that Microsoft commissioned QA work ordering QA without negotiations. Then in April Employees voted for the authorization for the most extentAgain, citing fears about remote work and low compensation.
The initial contract depends on the ratification by the members of the Union in the vote, which is to be completed by June 20.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior Ign reporter. You can find her post on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.skyla. Do you have a hint with history? Send it to ralentine@ign.com.
