ZeniMax QA workers win tentative union contract with Microsoft
3 minute readPublished: Friday, May 30, 2025 at 7:42 pm
**ZeniMax QA Workers Secure Tentative Union Contract with Microsoft**
In a significant win for video game workers, ZeniMax QA workers, represented by ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, have reached a tentative union contract with Microsoft after two years of negotiations. The Communication Workers of America (CWA) announced the agreement, which covers over 300 ZeniMax employees.
The contract promises "substantial across-the-board wage increases" and new minimum salaries, addressing a key concern for QA testers. It also includes crucial protections against the potential negative impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a policy that acknowledges the vital contributions of QA workers to the video games they help create.
This landmark agreement is particularly noteworthy given the industry's revenue boom and the often-cited exploitation of workers. As Jessee Leese, a QA tester and bargaining committee member, stated, this contract "is an invitation for video game professionals everywhere to take action."
The contract is currently "tentative" and awaits ratification by union members. However, it's expected to set a precedent for future negotiations within the gaming industry. Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to neutrality regarding unionization, recognizing the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA union immediately after its formation in 2023.
The CWA also highlighted ongoing negotiations with other Microsoft-owned studios, including Raven Software, Activision, ZeniMax Online Studios, and the Overwatch development team. Furthermore, the CWA announced the United Game Workers-CWA union, a direct-join union open to all industry workers, including freelancers and those laid off, offering an alternative path to collective bargaining power. This move underscores the growing momentum of the labor movement within the video game industry.
Keywords: ZeniMax, Microsoft, union contract, QA workers, video game industry, CWA, wage increases, AI protection, labor union, Activision, Raven Software, Overwatch, United Game Workers-CWA, gaming industry, unionization, tentative agreement, game developers, game testers.