The Blizzard union has ratified a collective bargaining agreement covering approximately 1,900 employees. The agreement includes wage increases, mandatory bargaining over AI usage, recall rights and compensation provisions following layoffs, and protections for remote and hybrid work.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) announced on September 9 that unionized Blizzard employees ratified the contract following roughly two years of bargaining. The agreement covers unionized workers on the World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft Rumble, Overwatch, and Diablo teams, as well as those in quality assurance (QA), platform and technology, and story and franchise development divisions.
According to the CWA, Blizzard must discuss, evaluate, and bargain with the union over the workplace use of AI. Kotaku reported that the contract stipulates any implementation of AI technology that materially impacts union workers' duties must have its effects bargained over prior to adoption.
Laid-off union workers will be granted the right to be recalled into open positions across Blizzard—including other bargaining units—for 14 months from the date of their layoff announcement. The CWA stated that it also secured an additional four weeks of severance pay regardless of tenure. According to Kotaku, the contract requires 60 days of advance notice or equivalent pay in lieu of notice in the event of layoffs.
Working conditions specified in the agreement include a three-day in-office hybrid schedule, remote work options, and disability accommodations. Kotaku reported that certain roles have been designated for hybrid work, with formal procedures established for employees to apply for fully remote status.
Kotaku reported that the contract consolidates several existing union bargaining units into three groups, with contract durations ranging from four to five years depending on the group. Blizzard QA workers, who previously signed a separate agreement, will also be incorporated into this unified contract.
Blizzard President Johanna Faries described the ratification as an important milestone in a statement provided to Kotaku via Xbox. She expressed her commitment to working together to support both development teams and players.
