Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
5h ago

More Than 450 Diablo Developers Form CWA Union as Microsoft Recognizes Unit

Recognition under Microsoft’s neutrality pledge moves the wall-to-wall unit toward contract talks on pay, job security, workplace rules.

Image
Three diablo characters defend a ritual from hordes of monsters in the latest season of Diablo IV.
Screenshot of Diablo 4.
QA workers at ZeniMax Media recently ratified a union contract with Microsoft.

Overview

  • The unit spans CWA Locals 9510 in Irvine, 1118 in Albany, and 6215 in Austin, covering designers, engineers, artists, and support staff across the Diablo franchise.
  • Organizers cite repeated mass layoffs across Microsoft’s gaming division as the central catalyst for unionizing, highlighting fears over job instability and crunch.
  • Workers concluded their authorization process on April 27 by signing cards or using an online portal, with formal recognition following from Microsoft.
  • The Diablo team joins a growing wave of organizing at Blizzard that includes World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Story & Franchise Development, with over 3,500 Microsoft employees now in CWA unions.
  • Members plan to survey priorities for bargaining, including compensation, crediting, remote work, guardrails for AI, and anti-crunch measures, drawing on precedents like contracts ratified by ZeniMax QA and Raven Software QA.