58 minutes ago
About 1,900 Blizzard employees have reached a new union agreement with protection from the consequences of AI,
About 1,900 Blizzard employees have reached a new union agreement with protection from the consequences of AI, layoffs and other guarantees.
Blizzard will bring together a number of small trade unions into three negotiating groups:
• Team 1: World of Warcraft, Blizzard QA and Hearthstone • Team 2: Platform and technical teams, customer support, localization, and story development and franchise teams • Team 3: Diablo and Overwatch
The deal is for 45 years depending on the group. The existing Blizzard QA contract will be included in the new one. This is the fourth such agreement by Microsoft after ZeniMax QA, Raven and Blizzard QA.
The main conditions are:
• AI: tools can help employees, but any changes to AI that significantly affect union members' jobs must first be discussed with the union.
• Titles: Current and former employees will be named in the titles of the games they worked on.
• Remote work: some of the positions will be designated as hybrid, while employees will be able to apply for a fully remote format.
• Dismissals: at least 60 days' notice or payment instead, one week's allowance for every six months of work and the right to re-employment for 14 months.
• Change of ownership: if Blizzard is sold, the terms of the agreement will continue to apply.
Blizzard President Joanna Ferris said the ratification of the agreements was a "significant milestone" and reflected the company's and employees' shared desire to continue working together for the benefit of teams and players. #game #Blizzard
Blizzard will bring together a number of small trade unions into three negotiating groups:
• Team 1: World of Warcraft, Blizzard QA and Hearthstone • Team 2: Platform and technical teams, customer support, localization, and story development and franchise teams • Team 3: Diablo and Overwatch
The deal is for 45 years depending on the group. The existing Blizzard QA contract will be included in the new one. This is the fourth such agreement by Microsoft after ZeniMax QA, Raven and Blizzard QA.
The main conditions are:
• AI: tools can help employees, but any changes to AI that significantly affect union members' jobs must first be discussed with the union.
• Titles: Current and former employees will be named in the titles of the games they worked on.
• Remote work: some of the positions will be designated as hybrid, while employees will be able to apply for a fully remote format.
• Dismissals: at least 60 days' notice or payment instead, one week's allowance for every six months of work and the right to re-employment for 14 months.
• Change of ownership: if Blizzard is sold, the terms of the agreement will continue to apply.
Blizzard President Joanna Ferris said the ratification of the agreements was a "significant milestone" and reflected the company's and employees' shared desire to continue working together for the benefit of teams and players. #game #Blizzard