Activision QA testers vote to authorise a strike as contract talks stall

[WarpCore]

Activision's quality assurance testers have voted to authorise a strike. Kotaku's Ethan Gach reports that the union, known as AQAU-CWA and represented by the Communications Workers of America, was formed in March 2024 by nearly 600 testers, many of them based in Minnesota. The vote does not mean a strike will definitely happen, but the union can now call one at any time

After more than two years of bargaining, there is still no first contract. The union says Activision, which is owned by Microsoft, is not bargaining in good faith on wages, accommodations, worker protections, guardrails on AI and the use of contractors. It also says the company has become tougher since Microsoft's temporary labour neutrality agreement with the CWA expired

The group has shrunk significantly during that time, from nearly 600 people to just over 400. Some members work on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, which launches next week. Testers Emily Danko and Jenna Huffman are quoted explaining why they voted for strike authorisation

Activision says it has bargained in good faith and made meaningful progress. It has offered further talks on 21 and 22 October and says it has plans in place to avoid disrupting players. So there is still a chance of a deal before any action is taken

QA testers do vital work that players rarely see, and they have historically been among the lowest paid people in the industry. Two years without a first contract is a long time. Hopefully the talks next week bring both sides closer to an agreement

Do QA testers get the recognition they deserve? And will a strike vote push Activision towards a deal?

Modern Warfare 4 Testers Vote To Authorize Union Strike As Contract Negotiations Stall: 'It Is Time To Stop Playing Games'kotaku.com