Blizzard Secures First Union Contract with Microsoft, Protects Employees' Rights

Blizzard Entertainment has secured its first union contract with Microsoft after a workforce vote. The agreement, which covers almost 1,900 staff, introduces protections on generative AI use and layoffs. The contract sets a notice period of 60 days or pay in lieu, one week of severance for every six months worked, and 14 months of recall rights.

The union contract also includes crediting rules, requiring current and former staff to be listed by name on every title they contributed to. Remote work is designated as hybrid, with employees given a route to apply for fully remote status. The agreement also stipulates that AI tools must remain subject to human control and review.

The ratification of the contract marks a significant milestone for Blizzard's employees and reflects their shared commitment to continuing to work together in support of their teams and players, according to Blizzard president Johanna Faries. This is the latest development in a series of unionizations across Microsoft subsidiaries since 2022.