Studio Workers Behind 'Fallout' Stage 1-Day Strike Over Microsoft's Remote Work Policies
"We are not afraid to do what’s necessary to make sure that Microsoft meets us at the bargaining table."
By Sukhbir Cheema — 15 Nov 2024, 10:21 AM
Upset with Microsoft's remote work and outsourcing policies, hundreds of ZeniMax workers staged a one-day strike recently
According to AFP, the workers at the game studio behind iconic titles like Fallout and Elder Scrolls walked off the job on 13 November.
This action, organised by ZeniMax Workers United — a Communication Workers of America (CWA) division — comes as Microsoft faces mounting pressure to negotiate issues like job security and the choice to work remotely.
ZeniMax Workers United announced the strike on X (formerly Twitter), signalling frustration over Microsoft's slow response to employee demands
"We are not afraid to do what’s necessary to make sure that Microsoft meets us at the bargaining table over key issues like remote work options and outsourcing. Today, we are on strike," ZeniMax Workers United said.
The strike saw hundreds of ZeniMax employees in Maryland and Texas participating, urging Microsoft to address the changes and uncertainty surrounding remote work policies and the outsourcing of jobs.
Many strikers had been working from home but are now facing pressure to return to office spaces, a move that's proven controversial given the industry's demanding work conditions and long hours.
Microsoft, which acquired ZeniMax for USD7.5 billion (RM33.7 billion) in 2021, has responded by acknowledging the workers' rights to express their views
The tech giant stated, "We will continue to listen and address their concerns at the bargaining table."
The ZeniMax strike highlights a broader trend of unionisation within the gaming industry, where workers at major studios like Activision Blizzard and SEGA of America are pushing for better working conditions and job stability.
Union efforts within Bethesda Game Studios, now part of ZeniMax, gained momentum over the summer, part of a wider movement of gaming professionals demanding fair treatment and secure futures.
