Statement from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on the U.S. District Court ruling denying a preliminary injunction to halt Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard:
We applaud yesterday’s U.S. District Court ruling to deny a preliminary injunction that would have prevented Microsoft from moving forward with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This action opens the door for some 10,000 workers in the technology and video game industry to join a union, representing a transformational shift in the balance of power and a leap forward for all workers.
Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) agreed to a groundbreaking neutrality agreement last year should the acquisition be completed, allowing Activision Blizzard workers the opportunity to stand together in a union and bargain collectively without employer interference. The agreement sets a new standard for respecting workers’ rights in the video game industry and the larger technology sector.
All workers should have the fundamental freedom to form or join a union without facing the illegal union-busting tactics often employed by large corporations. We demand that all companies respect the right of working people to organize free of threats and intimidation as Microsoft firmly committed to do with Activision Blizzard workers.
Contact: Steve Smith, 202-637-5018