United Videogame Workers Union Officially Launches In North America

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For the first time in North America, the United Videogame Workers (UVW), together with the Communication Works of America (CWA) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), have unveiled a union that allows game developers to join directly – known as UVW-CWA Local 9433. This union was introduced during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco, California.

In simple terms, this union is open to anyone involved in video game development, regardless of whether they’re based in the U.S. or Canada. This covers artists, developers, QA testers, and other roles. Whether you work freelance or full-time doesn’t make a difference, and the number of people from your particular company who have joined doesn’t affect your eligibility either.

In a press release, Tom Smith, Senior Director of Organizing at CWA, stated that the formation of this union wasn’t a solitary endeavor; it’s the result of countless video game workers who have been striving for years to reshape the concept of unity and reclaim power in one of the most significant and profitable industries worldwide. These workers are making a daring move, uniting to establish strength for the employees behind the games we all cherish.

The leader of the Game Workers Alliance, Claude Cummings Jr., stated that as video game studios have merged, the people who create and contribute to these games are often overlooked. These workers face continuous rounds of layoffs and rehiring, all while corporate leaders prioritize immediate profits over a long-term, stable future for the industry.

The press announcement mentions that during the union’s debut, its supporters will initiate a petition advocating for “dignified treatment and employment security for all video game workers, especially those at risk of layoffs.” Additionally, they plan to make a significant impact at GDC 2025 through panels, workshops, and other activities.

The unions mission statement reads:

Our goal is to reclaim control over our lives, work, and creativity from those who view us as interchangeable parts; to bolster our fellow game developers; to unite with the unemployed, freelancers, disheartened contractors, the underprivileged, and the overlooked workers who keep this industry thriving. We’re determined to establish a gaming sector that values its creators, fostering growth and investing in its long-term success rather than solely chasing immediate profits. After all, we are the ones crafting these games, so it’s time for us to dictate the working conditions.

1,493 positions were eliminated through layoffs at 47 different companies by the end of 2025, a figure that follows the estimated 16,000 job losses reported in 2024.

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2025-03-19 16:48