Candy Crush Developers Secure Management Contract Following Multi-Union Strike Call

Swedish developers at King, known for Candy Crush, have successfully secured a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with management, effectively averting a planned multi-union strike.

In a recent announcement from the Swedish union Sveriges Ingenjörer, it was revealed that both this union and Unionen have finalized a CBA after more than a year of negotiations. Consequently, the strike notice against King has been withdrawn. The new agreement will enhance employees’ ability to influence their work environment and grants them the right to organize and receive timely information regarding changes that may impact their roles, such as reorganizations or altered conditions.

Union members at King received an email from management today confirming the agreement, which is set to take effect on April 1, 2027. In the message, leadership expressed that this decision aims to reduce uncertainty and that they will collaborate with the unions leading up to April to refine the agreement in a way that aligns with the company’s needs.

In Sweden, workers can join a trade union relevant to their profession at any time, gaining various benefits. However, the Candy Crush developers have established a “union club” at King to negotiate a more tailored CBA that addresses their specific requirements. Back in August, King management had informed employees that they would not sign a CBA, asserting that their existing benefits were superior and that their operational model was suitable for the company, including its Swedish operations.

In response, trade unions Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer called for a strike at King, joined by three additional unions: Akademikerförbundet SSR, Naturvetarna, and DIK. The strike was set to commence tomorrow if no agreement was reached, prompting the involvement of mediators, which ultimately led to this resolution. With the CBA now established, the strike has been canceled.

“This demonstrates the strength that comes from employees uniting in their commitment to change and improvement. Without the incredible engagement of our members at King, reaching this agreement would have been significantly more challenging,” stated Camilla Frankelius, head of negotiations at Sveriges Ingenjörer.

Update 9/24/2026 3:54 p.m.: King COO Ulrika Höjgård provided the following statement:

We can confirm that the planned strike action at King in Sweden has been called off.

We will continue to listen closely to our employees, including their desire for greater insight and involvement in decisions that affect them. King respects the Swedish model and the vital role of dialogue among employers, employees, and trade unions.

We have now signed a collective bargaining agreement that will take effect on April 1, 2027, with provisions for adaptations to suit King’s operations and circumstances. Moving forward, we will work alongside the trade unions to finalize these adaptations for King and our Kingsters before April 1.

Our focus remains on finding the best path forward for King and our employees. We look forward to the discussions and work ahead.