Quality assurance testers at Raven Software have officially secured their first union contract after three years of negotiations with Microsoft. The agreement, ratified by members of the Game Workers Alliance-CWA, marks a significant milestone in the gaming industry, particularly for workers organizing within major companies.
In 2022, Raven Software’s quality assurance team became the first group to unionize at a major American gaming company. The newly ratified contract includes a guaranteed wage increase of 10% over the next two years, the elimination of extended mandatory overtime and crunch time, as well as clearer job descriptions and promotion processes. According to a press release from the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the union played an instrumental role in the organizing effort that led to this contract.
Erin Hall, a Raven QA tester and member of the bargaining committee, expressed pride in the outcome, stating, “From day one, we made it a priority to include every voice in the room, and the contract we came out with reflects what we need—better pay, real career paths, and protection from burnout.” She added, “I hope it shows other game workers that organizing works—and it’s worth it.”
The journey to this contract began following a two-month strike in December 2021, when Activision, Raven’s parent company, laid off a dozen QA testers despite their contributions to the success of Call of Duty: Warzone. This experience highlighted the longstanding issue of undervaluing QA labor in the gaming industry, prompting similar organization efforts at companies like ZeniMax.
While Activision resisted unionization, Microsoft adopted a different stance. During its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft indicated it would not oppose the Raven QA union or any other worker organizations within Activision. Despite this commitment, negotiations faced delays, culminating in a strike by ZeniMax QA workers, who eventually reached a tentative contract agreement with Microsoft in June 2023.
Today, Raven’s QA staff celebrate their contract as a landmark victory for workers across the gaming sector. Autumn Prazuch, another member of the GWA-CWA bargaining committee, reflected on the experience, stating, “Going from organizing to sitting across the table from one of the largest tech corporations in the world was a huge learning curve, but we never lost sight of why we were there.” She emphasized the importance of advocating for sustainable career paths and limited crunch time, declaring, “Ratifying this contract is a win for game workers everywhere who are ready to take the first step toward a better future.”
The successful ratification of the contract not only represents a significant achievement for Raven Software’s QA team but also serves as an inspiration for other game workers considering unionization efforts. As the industry continues to evolve, the implications of this contract may resonate beyond Raven, influencing labor practices across the gaming landscape.
