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Magic: The Gathering — Arena Devs Win NLRB Election to Form Union

The vote gives roughly 100 Arena developers the legal standing to negotiate a contract that could change layoffs, AI rules, pay and work-from-home policies.

Overview

  • United Wizards of the Coast‑CWA said it was officially elected in an NLRB vote that the union announced on Tuesday, June 23.
  • The group filed an NLRB petition in early June after Wizards of the Coast did not grant voluntary recognition when the union set a May 1 deadline.
  • Organizers say the union represents about 100 developers based in Renton, Washington and elsewhere and will begin collective bargaining for a ratified contract.
  • Union priorities include protections against layoffs, limits or rules on required generative AI use, clearer pay and career transparency, and remote-work and side‑project rights.
  • The drive was sparked by prior Wizards and Hasbro layoffs and broader industry instability, and a successful contract could set a model for other game studios seeking workplace safeguards.