ZeniMax Developer Union Establishes New Contract With Microsoft

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Summary

  • The ZeniMax QA workers union and Microsoft have landed on a tentative contract after over two years of negotiations.
  • According to the CWA, the ZeniMax-Microsoft deal will result in wage increases, minimum salaries, AI usage guidelines, and more.
  • If all goes to plan, the contract will be ratified on June 20.

Following two years of lengthy discussions, the quality assurance employees at ZeniMax Media have tentatively agreed on a union contract with Microsoft. The CWA (Communication Workers of America) made this announcement, and if ratified, the ZeniMax union agreement would be a major step forward in labor relations within the gaming sector.

Established in January 2023, the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA union encompasses over 300 QA employees who were quickly acknowledged by Microsoft. This recognition coincided with Microsoft’s public pledge to remain impartial regarding unions, a stance solidified in 2024. However, discussions between Microsoft and the ZeniMax union experienced delays for approximately two years, causing discontent among members. The situation escalated in April 2025 when union members opted to sanction a strike due to worries about working conditions, limited remote work opportunities, and the substitution of permanent staff with contract labor.

At long last, ZeniMax employees and Microsoft have reached a preliminary agreement on a contract. According to the Communications Workers of America (CWA), this deal addresses numerous issues of contention. The terms include significant salary increases for all staff members, minimum wages set for QA workers, safeguards against unfair termination, and established complaint resolution processes. A notable aspect is the updated crediting policy, which guarantees that QA workers receive recognition for their role in game development. Furthermore, this contract contains provisions regarding AI tools usage – a topic of growing importance – empowering employees to have input on when and how these tools are utilized within the workplace.

ZeniMax QA Union and Microsoft Deal to Improve Work Conditions and Set Parameters Around AI Use

The Communication Workers of America (CWA) has expressed that the ZeniMax-Microsoft agreement represents a significant victory for labor unions within the gaming sector. A member of the bargaining committee and QA tester at ZeniMax, Jessee Leese, emphasized the deal’s symbolic significance by stating it serves as “an invitation” for industry experts to engage in action. CWA President Claude Cummings concurred with Leese, describing the contract as a testament to the power of collective action: “From influencing the implementation of AI in workplaces, advocating for substantial wage increases and fair credit practices, to safeguarding employees from retaliation, our members have set a high standard.

In its current state, the ZeniMax-Microsoft deal could be finalized by June 20th, which is significant given the surge of unionization movements in the gaming sector, particularly in the United States. Inside Microsoft, unions at Raven Software, Activision QA, ZeniMax Online Studios, and more recently the Overwatch development team are actively negotiating with the corporation. On a broader scale, the movement gains traction as the United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA), a union open to both full-time and freelance game developers, was established in March 2025.

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2025-05-31 09:23