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Id Software Workers Form Studio-Wide Union as Microsoft Recognizes 165-Employee Unit

Recognition under Microsoft's 2022 neutrality agreement positions the new unit to begin bargaining over workplace standards.

Overview

  • A total of 165 id Software employees in Texas voted to unionize in a wall-to-wall unit represented by the Communications Workers of America.
  • Microsoft recognized the unit under its labor neutrality agreement with the CWA, covering developers, artists, programmers, and other roles.
  • Organizers cited return-to-office mandates, accessibility and health needs, layoffs, crunch, and pay concerns as key motivations.
  • The CWA says the move builds on a Microsoft-wide organizing push that now counts nearly 4,000 represented workers, including ZeniMax QA staff who unionized in 2023.
  • Union leaders said they look forward to opening contract negotiations with Microsoft to secure enforceable workplace policies and protections.