Activision has officially recognised the Raven Software QA workers’ union

Activision Blizzard has officially recognised the union established by a group of QA workers at Raven Software.

The Game Workers Alliance, which is the first labour union at a major US gaming company, was formed following a vote on May 23.

And in a letter to Activision Blizzard staff shared publicly via the company’s investor relations site on Friday, CEO Bobby Kotick said the publisher will now enter contract talks with representatives for the 27 Raven employees at the Communications Workers of America union.

“With the election having concluded, we will engage in good faith negotiations to enter into a collective bargaining agreement,” Kotick said.

“While first labor contracts can take some time to complete, we will meet CWA leaders at the bargaining table and work toward an agreement that supports the success of all our employees, that further strengthens our commitment to create the industry’s best, most welcoming and inclusive workplace, and enhances our ability to deliver world class games for our players.”

Activision has been staunchly anti-union in the months since Raven staff confirmed their intention to establish collective bargaining power in a bid to improve working conditions.

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Unionisers at Call of Duty studio Raven are excluded from Activision’s QA pay rise

"Due to legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act"

Microsoft, which plans to acquire Activision Blizzard in a $68.7 billion deal, said in March that it would not stand in the way if the Call of Duty and World of Warcraft publisher recognised a union.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer also said last month that he would recognise Raven’s union after the merger with Activision Blizzard closes, which is expected in the first half of 2023, subject to regulatory approval.