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Double Fine Workers File to Unionize With CWA, Seek Recognition From Microsoft

The move tests CWA’s push to secure contracts across Microsoft’s game studios.

Overview

  • Double Fine employees, who filed a union petition Thursday with the National Labor Relations Board, also asked the company to voluntarily recognize their CWA-affiliated union.
  • CWA said Microsoft has agreed to remain neutral during the organizing effort, which means the company will not try to sway the outcome.
  • The proposed bargaining unit covers 42 regular part-time and full-time staff at the Psychonauts developer, which is part of Xbox Game Studios.
  • If Microsoft does not grant recognition, workers would proceed to an NLRB election before any contract talks could begin.
  • Organizers frame the effort as part of a broader industry push for protections on working conditions, AI outsourcing, and layoffs, as CWA notes many Microsoft studio unions have formed but only a few have ratified contracts so far.