Blizzard Employees Ratify Union Contract with Key Benefits

Microsoft subsidiary Blizzard Entertainment has reached a union contract agreement with nearly 1,900 employees across multiple divisions. The Communications Workers of America announced that the contracts had secured key benefits for workers, including artificial intelligence guardrails, layoff protections, and hybrid work arrangements.

The agreements come after two years of bargaining, during which time Blizzard's largest offices in Albany, N.Y., and Irvine, Calif., have been negotiating with their respective unions. The company also has an undisclosed number of remote employees in Washington state.

Paul Cox, a senior quest designer for 'World of Warcraft,' said his union had gone through at least 80 bargaining sessions to reach the contract. The consolidated contract is seen as a blueprint for other unions across Blizzard's various game franchises, including 'Diablo' and 'Overwatch.'

The contracts also address concerns around AI use at the company. While employees acknowledge using AI in their work, Blizzard has a policy against player-facing AI technology. The union contract will bring these uses to the bargaining table, ensuring that workers have a voice in how AI is used.