Activision Blizzard has continued efforts to undermine union organizing at Raven Software, employees told The Washington Post, as a crucial vote on unionization approaches.
Raven employees say Activision Blizzard has held meetings and issued messages about the election, which will determine whether or not the studio's 28 quality assurance testers will be able to form a union. The company has told staff that unionization would affect potential benefits and promotions, and has even sent emails with graphics that read, "Please vote no."
The anti-union push comes as the Raven Software testers begin mailing in ballots to the National Labor Relations Board's Milwaukee office, with a deadline of May 20 to submit their votes. An official tally will be produced May 23.
Employees told The Post they were disappointed in Activision Blizzard's actions, but that their views on the subject were ultimately unaffected, and have already voted in favor of the union.
Activision Blizzard remains against the formation of the union and told the Washington Post as much in a statement.
"While we respect the NLRB process, we are disappointed that a decision that could significantly impact the future of our entire studio will be made by fewer than 10% of our employees," said spokesperson Rich George in an April 22 statement. "We believe a direct relationship with team members is the best path to achieving individual and company goals."
Unionization efforts at Raven Software began at the end of 2021, when testers began a two-month strike to protest layoffs at the studio.
