ZeniMax QA Union Secures Tentative Microsoft Contract After Two-Year Talks

Today, over 300 unionized quality assurance workers at ZeniMax Media, contributing to titles like The Elder Scrolls and Doom, announced a tentative agreement with Microsoft, their parent company, on their first contract since forming a union two years ago.

ZeniMax Workers United, affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), stated the deal includes "significant wage increases across the board," minimum salary standards, safeguards against arbitrary termination, formal grievance processes, protections regarding the use of artificial intelligence that could affect workers, and a policy ensuring proper crediting for QA contributions in games.

ZeniMax Media owns Bethesda Softworks and studios including Bethesda Game Studios (The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Starfield), id Software (Doom, Quake, Rage), Arkane (Dishonored, Prey, Redfall), MachineGames (Wolfenstein, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle), and ZeniMax Online Studios (The Elder Scrolls Online). Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media for $8.1 billion in March 2021, integrating it into the Microsoft Gaming division.

“Video games dominate entertainment industry revenue, yet the workers behind them are too often exploited for their passion and skill,” said Jessee Leese, a bargaining committee member.

“By organizing, negotiating collectively, and speaking as one, we’ve reclaimed the autonomy we deserve. This first contract is a call to action for game industry professionals everywhere. We create these games, and we’ll establish new benchmarks for fair treatment.”

ZeniMax QA workers unionized in January 2023, following Raven Software and Blizzard Albany, after Microsoft pledged labor neutrality. The path to a contract was tough, with a one-day strike last November over stalled talks on remote work protections and claims Microsoft outsourced QA work without union negotiations. In April, workers overwhelmingly authorized another strike, raising concerns about remote work and low pay.

The tentative contract awaits ratification by union members, with a vote expected to conclude by June 20.