Raven Software QA Testers Ratify First Union Contract, Marking Milestone for Video Game Labour
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A group of quality assurance testers at Raven Software have unanimously voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement, a landmark achievement for unionization efforts within the video game industry. The contract, negotiated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), secures wage increases, protections against excessive “crunch time,” and formalized processes for promotions and layoffs.
A Historic Win for QA Workers
Based in Middleton, Wisconsin, raven Software is a studio well-known for its contributions to the Call of Duty franchise, and also classic titles like Heretic, X-men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force, and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Knight Academy. The bargaining unit comprises 19 quality assurance workers who initiated this groundbreaking effort.
“After more than three years of organizing and bargaining, seeing it finally pay off feels astonishing,” said Erin Hall, a member of the bargaining commitee, in a statement. “It’s a contract that actually values the work QA does.”
This agreement represents a significant victory for the growing movement to improve working conditions within the frequently enough-demanding video game industry, where long hours and precarious employment are common. The raven Software workers’ determination has set a precedent for other studios and QA teams seeking to unionize.
Key Provisions of the New Contract
The ratified contract delivers considerable benefits to union members, addressing several critical concerns raised during the organizing process.
Wage Increases: The agreement guarantees a minimum 10 percent wage increase over the next two years, providing immediate financial relief and recognizing the value of their contributions.
Crunch Time Protections: Recognizing the detrimental effects of excessive overtime,the contract establishes regulations around “crunch time”-periods of intense,mandatory overtime often imposed to meet project deadlines. The studio must now provide at least one week’s advance notice before requiring mandatory overtime and offer versatility in scheduling. Crucially, the deal limits mandatory overtime to a maximum during the majority of weeks within a single quarter.
* Career Advancement & Job Security: the contract also formalizes job descriptions, ensuring clarity around roles and responsibilities. It further establishes procedures for promotions and layoffs, offering greater transparency and fairness in these processes. disability accommodations are also enshrined in the agreement.
From Organizing to Ratification: A timeline of Events
The journey to this historic contract began in january 2022 when Raven Software QA testers publicly announced their intention to form a union with the support of the CWA. This effort marked the first attempt to unionize a major, “AAA” game studio, representing a significant escalation in the video game labor movement.
Activision Blizzard, Raven Software’s parent company, initially declined to voluntarily recognize the union. However, organizers persevered, ultimately winning a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election later that year, officially recognizing the union.
The CWA had previously secured a union victory at the indie studio Vodeo Games,but that studio afterward shut down. The Raven software campaign, therefore, carried immense weight as a test case for organizing within a larger, more established company.
The accomplished ratification of this contract demonstrates the power of collective bargaining and signals a potential shift in the dynamics of labor relations within the video game industry. It provides a model for other workers seeking to improve their working conditions and secure a more equitable future.
