Xbox Unions Seek Clarity on Layoff Protections After Months of Negotiations: “We Get That Businesses Must Operate, But the Uncertainty Is Frustrating”
After numerous reports indicating that mass layoffs at Xbox could be on the horizon, many employees are preparing for the worst. However, for those Xbox studios that have already formed unions, the approach to this potential crisis is markedly different. Instead of passively awaiting bad news via email or meetings, union members are gearing up to take action.
In recent years, Xbox Game Studios has seen a rise in union representation, particularly from the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This includes QA testers from Raven Software and various teams at Blizzard, as well as developers from Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and Double Fine. Many of these unions are still in negotiations for their first contracts, with the union at Double Fine, which Microsoft is reportedly looking to sever ties with, not yet formally recognized.
On the other hand, unions representing ZeniMax QA testers, Raven Software, and Blizzard Albany have successfully secured collective bargaining agreements. These contracts outline how Xbox must handle any layoffs, including the severance packages for affected employees. For those without contracts, Xbox is required to negotiate with each union separately regarding the implications of proposed layoffs. After extensive bargaining, these groups are clear about their demands and are ready to advocate for them collectively, rather than as isolated teams.
I spoke with Morgan Goin, a senior encounter designer at ZeniMax, and Alison Veneto, a senior editor at Blizzard, following a CWA press conference where union members from across Xbox discussed the ongoing rumors of significant cuts. They shared that the various Xbox unions have been collaborating and exchanging insights as they work towards securing contracts. This collaboration sometimes involves leveraging language from existing contracts to expedite negotiations for others. In some cases, larger unions with more bargaining power can advocate for conditions that smaller unions might struggle to achieve, potentially paving the way for broader contract inclusions.
For example, they noted that Xbox has been resistant to “recall rights,” which would require the company to rehire laid-off workers if their positions become available again within a specified timeframe, particularly for its QA unions. However, the larger developer unions believe they can persuade the company to reconsider this issue.
“One of the major requests across Xbox Studios is the ability to transfer employees into open roles at other studios. With so many studios under the Xbox umbrella, if someone has the right skill set, why can’t they apply to another studio or even within their own?” they emphasized.
Currently, none of these unions have received official communication from Microsoft regarding the rumored layoffs. Goin recounted that during last year’s cuts at ZeniMax, the union was informed only about an hour before the public announcement, and they anticipate a similar situation this time. The ZeniMax union has sought more transparency from the company; during a recent bargaining session, union representatives inquired about the situation, but the company’s legal team claimed ignorance, and other representatives offered no additional information.
Despite the lack of clear communication from the company, union leadership is proactively preparing for layoff negotiations. Veneto mentioned that the World of Warcraft union had previously submitted a layoff proposal during negotiations, which Microsoft rejected. However, following the recent layoff reports, the CWA has intensified discussions to expedite the proposal, as the context has become more pressing.
Veneto expressed frustration over the delays in contract negotiations, a sentiment echoed during the press conference. “Many other units at Blizzard have already approved items at the Warcraft table, yet they won’t extend those approvals to everyone,” she stated. “We understand that businesses have to operate, but the uncertainty is infuriating. We want assurance that they are genuinely working to protect our jobs and recognize us as individuals with lives, families, and responsibilities. If layoffs occur, we want clarity on what to expect—our contracts, recall rights, and severance packages. Knowing these details helps us plan for the future.”
Goin also highlighted that even unions without contracts have leverage in negotiations. “A significant advantage of being part of the same parent union, CWA, is that development teams from World of Warcraft and Bethesda Game Studios are currently in active negotiations. They aren’t restricted by a no-strike clause, which is a powerful tool, and I believe the company is aware of that.”
The unions are also using this moment to support those at Xbox who are not yet unionized. They are collaborating with the United Video Game Workers to advocate for protections for all Xbox employees, regardless of union status. “The essence of the CWA is to support all workers, whether they’re union members or not,” Veneto explained. “We aim to unionize the entire gaming industry.”
She added, “Having come from the film industry, which is fully unionized, that’s the future we envision. Thanks to our protections, CWA was able to engage with Microsoft over the weekend on behalf of Blizzard and other companies. We could hold a press conference this morning, while many workers lack that ability. Unionized workers have layoff protections, and we want to extend those to everyone.”
They are also encouraging other studios to unionize. While forming a union takes time and won’t provide immediate solutions to potential layoffs, Goin and Veneto noted that layoffs have been a recurring issue at Xbox for years. Even if they can’t prevent the current layoffs, more unions will lead to greater protections in the future, building on the foundational contracts established by existing unions.
“This pattern has been established, so we expect them to attempt this again,” Goin remarked. “It becomes increasingly reasonable to start organizing if you haven’t already. If they try to dismantle unions, they will only cultivate a motivated workforce throughout the gaming industry.”
Goin and Veneto mentioned that there are several cross-Xbox Discord channels where employees can access resources related to unions and layoff preparedness. “We’ve compiled resources for layoff monitoring and warning stages,” Goin said. “Here are practical steps you can take now to prepare, including tips for your portfolio and financial organization.”
I noted that it’s unfortunate such resources are necessary.
“That’s all we can do for our members right now,” she replied. “When management provides no information, everyone turns to us for guidance. We don’t have answers either, so we’ve developed these resources to help prepare for the unknown. Regardless of what happens, we know we’ve done everything we can. The industry is small, so reach out to former colleagues. I’m happy to provide recommendations or guidance. It’s mainly through Discord right now, but we’re here to support our community of unionized workers.”
