ZeniMax Online Studios Workers Unite: A Landmark Move Towards Unionization

Employees at The Elder Scrolls Online developer ZeniMax Online Studios have formed a union under the ZOS United-CWA banner.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) released information in a press statement and verified that parent company Microsoft has recognized the union in accordance with its announced labor policies.

Previously, Microsoft entered into a Labor Neutrality Agreement with the CWA, enabling employees at the corporation to unionize without interference. Since its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the Xbox maker has terminated over 2,500 employees and shuttered multiple ZeniMax studios.

ZOS United-CWA includes 461 members distributed across the United States. Most of the employees are located in Maryland, with others spread throughout California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The union encompasses web developers, designers, engineers, graphic artists, and more—all of whom have united to secure a brighter future in an increasingly volatile industry.

“Today, I am incredibly proud of my colleagues at ZeniMax Online Studios who are joining countless game industry workers exercising their power to bring more stability to our field,” stated lead economy designer and ZOS United-CWA member John Hartzell. “No matter your studio, your position, or where you hail from, unions aim to uplift us all.”

Fellow union member Alyssa Gobelle remarked that organizing ZeniMax Online Studios employees has taken a “significant step forward in securing a better future for ourselves and our families.”

“[We intend] to establish protections against layoffs and workplace exploitation, and to offer additional support for employees beyond what FMLA and existing workplace policies can provide,” added Gobelle, a senior motion graphics artist at the studio.

Microsoft employees continue to form unions within major subsidiaries such as Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax. Earlier this year, the entire World of Warcraft design team established a comprehensive union. Prior to that, 600 QA employees formed the first recognized union in U.S. online gaming history to create opportunities for building “long-term, sustainable careers.”

The CWA has been aiding in unionizing employees in their endeavors for quite some time and assisted another group of ZeniMax workers in unionizing back in January 2023.

About the Author