Despite the challenges of organizing during a deadly pandemic, working people across the country (and beyond) continue organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life. This edition begins with:
NNU Wins Two Big Organizing Campaigns: National Nurses United (NNU) had two big organizing wins, adding nearly 700 new members to our union family. On March 8, registered nurses (RNs) at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph in Wichita, Kansas, voted to join National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), an affiliate of NNU. The union will represent more than 350 RNs. “We celebrated March 8, International Working Women’s Day, in the best way possible, by voting to become members of the largest nurses union in the country,” said Whitney Steinike, an RN in the adolescent psych unit at the St. Joseph hospital. “We are thrilled to join the movement for the high-quality care our patients need, and our communities deserve!” And on March 9, RNs at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial in California voted to join California Nurses Association/NNU (CNA/NNU). The union will represent more than 340 nurses. “Our patients are our families and friends,” said Rodney Gaines, a registered nurse who works in the emergency department. “Voting in the union gives us the tools to treat our community the way it deserves and how we want our families treated, protect our licenses when we take unsafe assignments for months on end, and have a voice when we go out of ratio. This is about protection for patients, our profession, our community.”
Temple University Graduate Students’ Association Ratifies New CBA: On March 9, members of the Temple University Graduate Students’ Association (TUGSA) overwhelmingly ratified their new collective bargaining agreement and won higher wages, health care for dependents and more paid leave. Starting on Jan. 31, TUGSA members went on strike for 42 days. The administration cut their health care without notification, rescinded tuition remission and threatened members’ visa status. But in the face of blatant union-busting, Temple University students, Philadelphia unions and political leaders united with TUGSA in its fight and showed overwhelming support. The tentative agreement was ratified 344–8 and is a historic achievement for TUGSA.
Workers at eBay-Owned TCGplayer Win Contract, Face Retaliation: On March 10, authentication center workers at eBay-owned TCGplayer won their union election and will be represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1123. TCGplayer is one of the largest online marketplaces for verification services, card games, comics and collectible trading cards. It was acquired by eBay in November 2022. The workers are the first group of eBay workers to win union representation in the United States. On the next business day, TCGplayer management fired Iris St. Lucy, an overnight team member and a union organizer. Retaliation and union-busting are not new for TCGplayer management, which committed multiple labor law violations during the campaign. “Throughout our union campaign, TCGPlayer management has waged a ruthless intimidation campaign to stop us from joining our union, including holding mandatory meetings with anti-union propaganda and creating a culture of fear among employees," said St. Lucy. “They want to make an example of us, but this egregious action only reveals how terrified TCGPlayer and eBay are of our collective power.”
Ambulance Workers Form First New Union in Wyoming in Decades: On Feb. 28, employees of Frontier Ambulance voted 22-2 to form a new union with United Steelworkers (USW) in Lander, Wyoming, after a brief, hard-fought union campaign. The lead for the new unit came more than six months ago, and it took nearly four months for Wyoming State AFL-CIO’s Executive Director Tammy Johnson (USW) to find a union to try to organize them. When Will Wilkinson, the USW representative in Wyoming, drove to Lander, he got every employee to sign a card within a week and scheduled a vote as soon as possible. The new unit has a bargaining team set up and will begin the process of negotiating a first contract immediately. When a contract is achieved, it will be groundbreaking, being the first new union in Wyoming in decades and possibly the first health care union in the state’s history.
REI Cleveland Workers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join RWDSU-UFCW: On March 3, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW) announced that, by an overwhelming majority vote, workers at REI Inc. in Beachwood, Ohio, the only REI location in the Greater Cleveland area, have voted to join RWDSU-UFCW, making this the third unionized REI store in the nation. Workers endured an exceptionally harsh union-busting campaign, leading to multiple unfair labor practice charges against REI. REI conducted intimidating one-on-one meetings, spread misinformation and unlawfully surveilled workers. Despite these union-busting actions, REI Cleveland workers have stood strong together and prevailed.
Workers at Three Somerville, Massachusetts, Cafes Secure First Union Contract: Workers at three cafes in Somerville, Massachusetts, voted to ratify a new contract with their shared management, becoming one of the first coffeehouse chains in the state to secure a contract. Some 60 workers, including baristas and back-of-house employees, at Diesel Café, Bloc Café, and Forge Baking Co., voted for the contract. The workers, represented by the New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE, will receive a 95-cent raise within the next 30 days and 25–35 cent raises twice a year. Baristas will make at least $15 an hour plus tips, while bakery and kitchen workers will make at least $20.25 an hour. The contract also increases paid time off, includes a clearer discipline policy, and maintains other measures like health insurance, matching 401(k) contributions, paid breaks and a $21 daily meal allowance. “It’s good to have something concrete that will hold everyone accountable and makes the standards of our workplace clear,” said Diesel Café shift runner Chris Duncan.
PGA Tour Entertainment Employees Join IBEW: PGA Tour Entertainment employees work inside the control room during a tournament and are responsible for all in-house production for the tour. While they have a handful of full-time employees, they rely on freelancers based all over the country. In December, more than 70% of the eligible workers at PGA Tour Entertainment voted to be represented by the Electrical Workers (IBEW). Contract negotiations will begin soon. IBEW designed a website to provide information to prospective members, and the card-signing process was done digitally. “The ability to use online authorization cards really cleans up the process,” said International Representative Joe Mastrogiovanni Jr., a lead organizer for IBEW’s Third District who assisted with the effort. “You don’t have to worry about what I call the hand-to-hand combat you often get. Sometimes, the only opportunity you get to approach someone is on the job, and a lot of times, people do not want that interaction. They’re always looking over their shoulder.”
CWA Members at AT&T Mobility in the Southeast Reach Tentative Agreement: Members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) at AT&T Mobility in the Southeast have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract. The new deal includes job upgrades, wage increases, better working conditions, stronger job security and more. The bargaining team also was successful in negotiating better health care and parental leave benefits, and limitations on the outsourcing of jobs.
LIUNA Members Secure Wage Gains After 3-Day Strike: More than 600 workers who work for the city of Portland, Oregon, went on strike for three days, culminating in a tentative agreement that raises their wages. These workers, who are members of Laborers (LIUNA) Local 483, are currently voting on contract approval, with ballots due by Feb. 24. They are pushing for higher wage increases than the city initially offered after agreeing to forgo cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) during the pandemic. “All through COVID we’ve been taking concessions and agreeing to furloughs and not getting our COLA,” said Holland Reini (LIUNA), a welder for the Portland Bureau of Transportation. “With how the economy is and how underpaid we are, we’re not keeping up with private industry.” The contract provides the LIUNA members with at least an 8% raise retroactive to July with cost-of-living increases scheduled each year of the contract, which goes through the end of 2025.
Five Fire Districts in Festus, Missouri, Join IAFF Local 2665: Over the past five months, firefighters at five departments in Jefferson County, Missouri, have voted to join Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2665. It’s the fastest growth the local has seen. “Our local has never seen anything like this,” said Local 2665 Fifth District Vice President Paul Vessells. “Jefferson is a small county and everybody talks. No one had any complaints—they just want a contract and to ensure both sides have a playbook moving forward.” The firefighters are pushing to secure full-time staffing by getting an April 5 ballot measure passed. Half of the district’s firefighters are currently paid through a federal grant that ends in 2024. “If we lose six fire fighters, we’d have to shut down a firehouse, and that’s going to impact the safety of taxpayers and the well-being of those on shift,” said Capt. Mitch Nelson of the Hillsboro Fire Protection District. “Joining the union will provide us with a huge return on investment.” Not only would the measure help maintain current staffing levels, it could help the department expand. “Local 2665 will be a big asset in helping us grow, plus it offers many special programs and will help us negotiate our contract,” said Capt. Brian Schlichting of the Festus Fire Department.
IAFF in Orion Township, Michigan, Ratify First Contract: Fire fighters in Orion Township, Michigan, members of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 5342, recently ratified their first contract. The local formed in August 2021 and immediately began working with the city on a first contract. Representatives of Local 5342 said the negotiations were amicable, but there were numerous issues to iron out. “We are very pleased with the new labor-management agreement between Local 5342 and Orion Township,” said Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union President Matthew Sahr. “Both sides trusted the process and negotiated in good faith. The result was one of the best first contracts I’ve seen.” The contract covers the next three years and includes a 3% pay raise each year, increased employer contributions to 401(k) retirement plans, time off for union activities and other benefits. Local 5342 President Chris Hagan (fifth from the left) said the contract will help improve recruitment and retention.
UAW Strike at HarperCollins Ends as Tentative Agreement Reached: Three months after members of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) went on strike at HarperCollins, the publisher and the union have reached a tentative agreement. The contract, facilitated by a federal mediator, still must be ratified by UAW members. The new agreement includes an increase in minimum salaries and a $1,500 one-time bonus. More details will be released about the contract, which would last through the end of 2025. UAW represents approximately 250 employees in editorial, publicity, sales, marketing, legal and design work.
Workers at Talking Points Memo Ratify New Three‑Year Contract: Workers at Talking Points Memo (TPM), one of the longest-running political news sites, ratified a new contract. The workers, who are members of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), unanimously approved the new agreement that covers three years. The contract contains numerous gains for TPM staffers: new minimum salary levels, pay increases every year of the contract, increased severance minimums, more vacation days, expanded professional development, improved health and safety standards, commitments to diversity, among others. In a statement, TPM Union/WGAE members said: “We’re thrilled to have won the fight for a contract that protects and improves working standards at TPM. After 8 months of bargaining, we have won key concessions from management that include industry-standard salary floors, a comp time policy that meets the needs of our unit, and annual increases that ensure members’ pay will keep pace with inflation. This contract would not have been possible without the solidarity and teamwork of the entire TPM unit. We’re proud of this contract, our unit, and WGAE, which helped to secure the provisions in this contract that all of our members deserve.”
Portland Workers Reach Tentative Agreement After Strike: After launching the first strike among the city’s workers in two decades, Portland city workers reached a tentative agreement on Saturday. More than 600 workers, members of Laborers (LIUNA) Local 483, went on strike Thursday after a year of negotiations broke down. The two sides participated in 12 hours of mediation before coming to the agreement, which still must be approved. Members of Local 483 fix sewage leaks, clean trash at city parks, clear streets of ice and snow, among other tasks. “I think there’s a lot of work yet to be done, but this is a great foundation to build upon for our membership and really for working standards in the whole Portland community,” said Local 483 field representative James O’Laughlen. “If we did not get investment of this kind, I think we were going to see a mass exodus of people from this contract. It’s hard to live in this community financially.” The new contract is for four years and includes a 3% raise for the first year, which is retroactive to July 2022, as well as a cost-of-living adjustment. In the second year, another 5% cost-of-living adjustment is scheduled, and after that, the final two years of the contract will see increases based on the federal consumer price index.
WGAE Members at HuffPost Secure Agreement and Avoid Strike: At 1:43 a.m. on Feb. 1, HuffPost Union (an affiliate of the Writers Guild of America, East [WGAE]) reached an agreement on a new contract with HuffPost’s parent company, Buzzfeed. The new contract still has to be approved by the membership, and the union is withholding details until the deal is ratified. In a statement, the members of the HuffPost Union said: “For months, the HuffPost Union made clear we would not settle for anything less than a fair and equitable contract—and our unit stood together until the bitter end, united against proposals from management that sought to take this newsroom backwards. In the end, we secured a deal that is full of victories, big and small, for our members. It’s a testament to the power of solidarity and the strength of our unit, 98% of whom signed a strike pledge that successfully put management on alert. We are incredibly proud of this new contract, which will build a better future for HuffPost and the talented individuals who work here, and raises the bar for our entire industry.”
Fordham Resident Attendants Organize with OPEIU: More than 77% of resident assistants (RAs) at the Rose Hill campus of Fordham University signed a petition for union recognition with Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 153. The resident assistants presented the petition to the school’s administration and demanded voluntary recognition of the new unit. The resident assistants live in dorms, and support the health and safety of 20 to 70 student residents. “As an RA I have been put in many high stress, challenging and occasionally dangerous situations,” said senior resident assistant Peter Wolff. “While these situations are a part of the job, Fordham University and Fordham Residential Life express a disregard for RAs well-being and a lack of support for RAs doing critical work. Fordham’s lack of respect is also emphasized in inconsistent and unprofessional communication to RAs. This is why we organized a union to improve the quality of life for residents through greater support for RAs.” Despite the challenging nature of the work, resident assistants are often compensated with a dorm room to live in and a meal plan or stipend for food. This is classified as financial aid and can reduce other aid given to students. This compensation process treats resident assistants unfairly and unequally, even if they do the same work. The Fordham resident assistants join a trend of similar workers at other universities joining OPEIU, including Wesleyan University, Barnard College and Tufts University, who have all unionized in the last year.
Nebraska State Workers Ratify Contract with Significant Wage Increases: Members of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE), AFSCME Local 61, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that includes the largest salary increases state workers have seen in at least 35 years. The new contract will provide the majority of employees with wage increases of 5% and 2% over the next two years. For critical and hard-to-fill positions, the increases will range from 10% to 27%, making it much easier for the state to resolve worker shortages in several agencies. Positions for jobs such as accountants, snowplow drivers, social services workers and driver’s license examiners, among others, were in short supply because salaries lagged behind the private sector. “We’re hoping this helps us deliver the high quality services that Nebraskans expect,” said NAPE’s Executive Director Justin Hubly.
Rhode Island’s Savoy Bookshop & Cafe Workers Join UFCW: Booksellers and baristas who work at the Savoy Bookshop & Cafe in Westerly, Rhode Island, recently secured voluntary recognition of their efforts to join the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328. The new workers stated their goals in a letter to management: “Our decision to organize is the result of months of conversations between staff, other booksellers, and our families. It is rooted in love of our work, our community, and our personal and professional investment in the company’s success. It is a reflection of our passion for our workplace and a confirmation of the workers’ integral functions within it. Our goal, in good faith, is a secure future for ourselves and the company. We are looking forward to an equitable seat at the table to determine Savoy’s role in the community and the broader independent bookstore landscape.” “We are so pleased that the company is upholding its values by recognizing our union,” said Danielle, a bookseller and inventory lead. “It is an important first step towards a more transparent, collaborative workplace. In this spirit, we are looking forward to beginning negotiations.”
TWU Dispatchers at Southwest Airlines Reach Tentative Agreement After 4 Years: Dispatchers at Southwest Airlines, members of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 550, have reached a tentative agreement after four years of negotiations. The local’s board of directors voted unanimously to submit the agreement to the full membership for approval. The agreement includes industry-leading pay increases and quality-of-life improvements, and helps the workers who have been without a collective bargaining agreement for four years. Local 550 President Brian Brown lauded the hard work by the members to make the agreement finally come to fruition: “Herb Kelleher [co-founder, later CEO and chairman emeritus of Southwest Airlines until his death in 2019] once said that ‘dispatchers are the heart of the airline.’ We prove him right every day by ensuring a safe, efficient, and reliable operation for our customers and flight crews.”
BCTGM Members Secure New Contract at Ingredion After 175‑Day Strike: After nearly six months on strike, Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) members at Ingredion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that protects seniority rights, maintains benefits and work rules, safeguards work hours and increases wages. The strike by more than 120 members of BCTGM Local 100G began Aug. 1, 2022. “This has been a long and difficult fight for our striking members and their families,” said BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton. “With each new day on that picket line, fighting for what they deserve, our members grew in strength, courage and determination. I could not be more proud of these hard working members who put it all out on the line to fight for a fair contract. I am proud of the tenacity of our striking members at Ingredion and commend the union negotiating committee for their rock-solid commitment to achieving a fair and just contract for the members of Local 100G. The members went out as one, stood strong as one, and will all come back as one.”
On‑Air Workers at Los Angeles‑Based Telemundo 52 Vote to Join SAG‑AFTRA: Anchors, reporters and other on-air talent at KVEA TV/Telemundo 52 in Los Angeles voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with SAG-AFTRA. The union already represents Telemundo employees at the network’s studios in Chicago, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The new SAG-AFTRA members will begin negotiations on a fair collective bargaining agreement, in solidarity with workers at KNBC 4, another station owned by Telemundo’s parent company NBCUniversal (which itself is owned by Comcast). “SAG-AFTRA continues to organize Spanish language media and entertainment workers nationwide,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “The resounding victory of 18 yes to 1 no tells management that our newest members are serious about getting to work bargaining a union contract. This result exemplifies our union’s dedication to ensuring all workers in media and entertainment, regardless of the language they report in or perform in, are guaranteed just wages and safe working conditions—and a strong voice at their workplace.”
The Animation Guild Secures Voluntary Recognition for Union Drive at Nickelodeon: The Animation Guild, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 839, has secured voluntary recognition for a group of unionizing production workers at Nickelodeon Animation Studios. The company agreed to recognize the bargaining unit of 177 workers that includes production coordinators, production managers, asset production coordinators and others. This will be the largest unit of production workers to join The Animation Guild so far and they will now begin negotiations for their first union contract. “By doing this, the studio has shown that they are willing and ready to recognize the hard work, time and love we pour into our productions,” said the organizing committee in a statement. “We are so excited to work with them and our artist colleagues to come to an agreement that reiterates their support for what we do.” One of the primary goals for the new unit will be to increase inadequate pay, which makes it challenging for production workers to afford living in Los Angeles. Many animation workers must seek overtime, additional jobs, loans or financial help from friends and family.
Machinists Overwhelmingly Ratify Contract Extension with McGee Air Services: More than 2,300 workers at McGee Air Services, an Alaska Airlines subsidiary, ratified a two-year contract extension that provides one of the highest pay scales for airline operation vendors. The workers, members of the Machinists (IAM), work in Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. The extension includes an immediate 5% wage increase, later wage increases, a ratification bonus, a 401(k) plan, employer-funded life insurance, enhanced grievance procedures and more. “Our members called for this agreement extension, and I am happy that our team was able to deliver for the membership,” said IAM District Lodge 142 President and Directing General Chair John Coveny. “We stood in solidarity to achieve increased wages and benefits over the next two years. I am proud of what we accomplished in such a short period. Our work does not end here. Our members at McGee will continue to work on the next steps once this agreement extension is complete. This agreement will impact companies similar to McGee Air Services, and our leadership team will continue raising the bar in this sector.”
After 3 Days on Strike, New York Nurses Secure Safe Staffing Ratios: After a three-day strike, more than 7,000 nurses at two New York City hospitals secured a tentative deal that includes concrete, enforceable safe staffing ratios. The nurses are members of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), an affiliate of National Nurses United (NNU), and they returned to work this morning. “This is a historic victory for New York City nurses and for nurses across the country,” said NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN. “NYSNA nurses have done the impossible, saving lives night and day, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and now we’ve again shown that nothing is impossible for nurse heroes. Through our unity and by putting it all on the line, we won enforceable safe staffing ratios at both Montefiore [Medical Center] and Mount Sinai [Hospital] where nurses went on strike for patient care. Today, we can return to work with our heads held high, knowing that our victory means safer care for our patients and more sustainable jobs for our profession.” Nurses at a third New York City hospital also reached a tentative agreement last night and withdrew their 10-day strike notice.
AFGE Members Secure an Average Pay Raise of 30% and Expanded Rights Under Title 5: Transportation security officers (TSOs) won a historic pay raise that brings TSO salaries in line with the general schedule that most federal workers fall under. The TSOs also secured expanded workplace rights under Title 5, which also covers most federal workers. TSOs are the workforce that keep air travelers safe, and the improvements to their pay and bargaining rights are long overdue. The salary increases will provide the underpaid TSOs an average increase of 30%. TSOs are currently among the federal government’s worst-paid employees. The increased wages will be paid for under the 2023 omnibus budget bill President Biden signed in December, and they go into effect July 1. “These transformational improvements to pay and rights were made possible by 20 years of activism on behalf of union members at the TSA, and I thank these AFGE leaders for their tireless efforts to remedy the shameful treatment of employees at TSA,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “I look forward to working closely with Administrator [David] Pekoske and the administration to ensure the swift implementation of this new determination and pay equity to improve the quality of TSA jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Yale Graduate Teachers and Researchers Join UNITE HERE: In a major victory, graduate teachers and researchers at Yale University have voted to form a union with UNITE HERE Local 33. More than 90% of the voters who cast a ballot voted “Union Yes.” “For decades our campaign has fought to improve the working conditions of graduate workers on our campus,” said Madison Rackear, a grad researcher from the Genetics Department. “We’ve been inspired by the union standard that our sibling unions Locals 34 and 35 have achieved through decades of organizing. I’m looking forward to winning a great first contract that will make graduate education at Yale more accessible to other working-class scholars.” The workers will negotiate for a list of improvements, including better dental and vision coverage, more accessible mental health care, guaranteed time off, protections for international workers, strong grievance procedures, cost-of-living adjustments, increased transparency and more. “COVID has really highlighted the precarity of our work and the need for stronger workplace protections,” said Adam Waters, a graduate teacher from the History Department. “The results of this election show that grad workers agree: our work makes Yale work, and we deserve a seat at the table through our union and a contract.”
UFCW Members in Rhode Island Approve First Contract at Seven Stars Bakery Locations: Baristas, key holders and restockers at Seven Stars Bakery locations in Providence, Rumford and Cranston, Rhode Island, voted unanimously to approve their first contract. The workers secured the new agreement after three months of bargaining and are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328. The new contract is the first of its kind for retail workers in the state. It includes immediate wage increases for all employees, future pay increases, guaranteed minimum work hours, improvements to vacation and holiday premium benefits, increased retirement contributions, improved grievance procedures, and numerous other improvements. “This contract victory shows, above all else, that workers have power! We have a real stake in this company and we are glad that will be recognized in our new contract. I am so proud of all of my coworkers for sticking together through this whole process,” said Charlie Saperstein, a barista at the Point Street location. “Here’s to a better Seven Stars!”
AFGE Celebrates Pay Increase and Expansion of Rights for TSA Officers: The working people who protect America’s skies are among the federal government’s worst-paid employees. The budget bill signed by President Biden last week includes funding to help fix pay for these workers. Some $398 million was approved to increase wages. Additionally, $61 million was allocated for hiring new employees and $94 million for retention of exit-lane employees (who work directly with passenger safety) of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In related news, the collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers, who are members of AFGE, were expanded after a new determination was issued by TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “These transformational improvements to pay and rights were made possible by 20 years of activism on behalf of union members at the TSA, and I thank these AFGE leaders for their tireless efforts to remedy the shameful treatment of employees at TSA,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “I look forward to working closely with Administrator Pekoske and the administration to ensure the swift implementation of this new determination and pay equity to improve the quality of TSA jobs as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
IAM Members at Frito-Lay in Puerto Rico Ratify Strong New Contract: Workers at Frito-Lay in Puerto Rico ratified a new contract with Machinists (IAM) Local 2725 that includes salary increases, improved benefits and better working conditions. Members of Local 2725 are employed as merchandisers for the snack food company. “We are proud of the IAM members at Frito Lay for standing together to improve everyone’s future,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Rickey Wallace. “This contract will serve as a footprint to set higher standards for workers in the industry everywhere.”
ZeniMax Workers Form First Microsoft Union; Become Largest Certified Video Game Studio in the U.S.: A supermajority of quality assurance (QA) workers at Microsoft’s ZeniMax Media voted to join ZeniMax Workers United/CWA. Microsoft voluntarily recognized the new union, the first studio at the company to secure union representation and the largest unit of QA testers at a game studio in the United States. ZeniMax Workers United/CWA seeks to transform the company to benefit workers, players and the company. “Before us is an opportunity to make big changes and bring equity to the video game industry. We want to put an end to sudden periods of crunch, unfair pay, and lack of growth opportunities within the company. Our union will push for truly competitive pay, better communication between management and workers, a clear path for those that want to progress their career, and more,” said Victoria Banos, a senior QA audio tester at the company’s Maryland location. Zenimax Workers United/CWA joins the wave of game and tech workers at Activision, Alphabet, Apple, and dozens of other companies who have organized with CODE-CWA to build a better workplace.