In May 2022, quality-assurance workers at Raven Software voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), forming Game Workers Alliance-CWA. CWA reported that 86% of votes supported union representation. The election covered Raven QA workers—not every Activision employee—and the Raven unit later ratified its first contract with Microsoft.
Who voted, and what did they choose?
The vote was held by QA workers at Raven Software, an Activision Blizzard studio in Wisconsin. They chose representation by CWA through Game Workers Alliance-CWA. CWA reported 86% support; the official pages cited here do not give the underlying ballot tally, so a verified vote count cannot be stated.
Activision Blizzard’s 2023 proxy statement also records that Raven QA workers voted in favor of forming a CWA union in May 2022. That confirms the election occurred, but it does not make the Raven vote an Activision-wide decision.
How did the campaign reach the vote?
CWA says more than 60 Raven workers walked out beginning December 6, 2021, after the company laid off 12 QA testers, and that the stoppage lasted five weeks. That is the union’s account of the events leading into the campaign.
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Game Workers Alliance-CWA members described their hopes for the union this way: “Our biggest hope is that our union serves as inspiration for the growing movement of workers organizing at video game studios to create better games and build workplaces that reflect our values and empower all of us.”
What did Activision Blizzard announce after the election?
On June 10, 2022, CEO Bobby Kotick said the company would negotiate with CWA regarding 27 Raven QA employees and work toward a collective bargaining agreement. In an employee letter, Kotick wrote: “I wanted to share the news that we will begin negotiations with the Communications Workers of America related to the 27 quality assurance employees at Raven Software, the majority of whom have chosen to be represented by this union.” The 27 figure was the company’s description of the negotiating group.
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What happened to the Raven bargaining unit?
In 2025, CWA reported that Raven workers unanimously ratified their first contract with Microsoft after more than three years of organizing and bargaining. CWA described the agreement as including:
- A guaranteed 10-percent wage increase over two years.
- Raises through merit and promotions, plus defined job descriptions and a promotions process.
- Overtime notice and limits.
- Disability accommodations and layoff protections.
These terms are CWA’s account of the contract. Erin Hall, a Raven QA tester and bargaining committee member, said: “After more than three years of organizing and bargaining, seeing it finally pay off feels incredible.”
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How was the later Activision central QA organizing different?
A separate, larger organizing event took place in 2024. CWA reported that Microsoft recognized Activision Quality Assurance United-CWA, a central QA unit of approximately 600 workers across California, Texas, and Minnesota. Those employees were not part of the Raven unit that voted in 2022.
Other later bargaining also involved different workers: CWA reported that Blizzard Albany and Austin QA employees ratified a three-year Microsoft contract covering more than 60 workers. That agreement is separate from both Raven’s election and its contract.
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What the later NLRB docket does—and does not—show
A later National Labor Relations Board docket, case 18-CA-349076, concerns Raven Software, Activision Publishing, and Microsoft. It lists a filing date of August 23, 2024, a closed status, and an August 2025 approval of a withdrawal request. It also lists allegations concerning bargaining, employment changes, and concerted activity. Those are allegations, not findings of liability, and the docket is not the record of the May 2022 election.
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Sources
- CWA: Raven Software QA workers vote to unionize
- Activision Blizzard: Message from Bobby Kotick to employees, June 10, 2022
- CWA: Raven Software workers ratify first contract with Microsoft
- Activision Blizzard 2023 proxy statement
- NLRB case 18-CA-349076
- CWA: Activision central QA unit recognized in 2024
- CWA: Blizzard Albany and Austin QA contract ratification
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