Sources:
Microsoft (MSFT) to Convert Gaming Staff From Temps to Union Employees - Bloomberg
Microsoft converts some Starfield testers to full-time unionized employees | Windows Central
Microsoft (MSFT) to Convert Gaming Staff From Temps to Union Employees - Bloomberg
Microsoft converts some Starfield testers to full-time unionized employees | Windows Central
What you need to know
- Over 300 quality assurance testers at Microsoft-owned ZeniMax Media unionized earlier this year, forming ZeniMax Workers United.
- Microsoft has opted to remain neutral in unionization efforts, eschewing tactics utilized by many other large corporations.
- Microsoft recently agreed to convert several game testers who worked on Starfield into full-time employees.
Microsoft is honoring its recent commitments to engage in good faith with unions.
A number of game testers who previously worked on Starfield through third-party staffing agency TCWGlobal are being converted into full-time Microsoft employees. In a report shared by Bloomberg, the parent company of Xbox confirmed that 77 testers will be made unionized employees.
Over 300 quality assurance (QA) testers at ZeniMax Media unionized earlier this year, forming the first union under Microsoft. Since then, the union has been negotiating with Microsoft around benefits, raises, and having additional testers made into full employees.
23 of the 77 testers are being given full-time Microsoft jobs and a 22% pay increase, while the remainder will be given temporary jobs, raises of $2.75 per hour, as well as sick days and holidays. All of the newly-unionized testers are also being given a copy of Starfield, the game they most recently worked on.
"It's made it possible to give a lot of great benefits to a lot of great people and this is a great opportunity for people who normally would feel like they don't have a voice," said Aubrey Litchfield, a member of ZeniMax Workers United.
"We look forward to continued good faith negotiations as we work towards a collective bargaining agreement," Microsoft vice president Amy Pannoni told Bloomberg.
