ZeniMax QA Testers Achieve Historic First Contract with Microsoft

In a landmark achievement for the video game industry, unionized quality assurance (QA) testers at ZeniMax, a video game holding company acquired by Microsoft in 2021, have announced a tentative contract agreement with Microsoft. This marks Microsoft’s first union contract in the United States, signaling a significant step forward in labor relations within the tech giant.

The announcement, made on Friday, comes after approximately two years of negotiations between Microsoft and the ZeniMax QA testers, who unionized through the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union comprises around 300 QA testers who have been advocating for improved working conditions and fair compensation.

According to a Bloomberg report, the tentative contract includes an across-the-board pay raise of 13.5%, effective July 1. Furthermore, the contract incorporates an agreement regarding the use of AI in the workplace, addressing concerns and ensuring protections for union members in an evolving technological landscape. Union members are scheduled to vote on ratifying the contract on June 20.

Page Branson, a QA tester and member of the union bargaining committee, hailed the agreement as “a monumental victory for all current video game workers and for those that come after.” This sentiment reflects the broader impact of the agreement, potentially setting a precedent for other video game companies and tech firms.

While ZeniMax’s QA workers were the first to unionize at Microsoft, other teams have followed suit. The CWA now represents over 2,000 Microsoft video game workers, indicating a growing movement towards unionization within the company. This trend suggests a shift in the power dynamics between employees and employers in the tech sector.

This agreement addresses not only compensation but also critical considerations around AI, reflecting the proactive measures taken by the union to secure its members’ future within the video game industry.