After 3 years of bargaining with Microsoft, the Raven QA workers have secured their first union contract: 'Ratifying this contract is a win for game workers everywhere'

 In 2022, quality assurance testers at Call of Duty studio Raven Software became the first union to organize at a major American games company as the Game Workers Alliance-CWA. Today, after three years of negotiation, GWA-CWA members voted to ratify their first contract between the union and Microsoft.

According to a press release from the Communications Workers of America, which aided in the Raven unionization effort in 2022, the contract secures a guaranteed 10% wage increase over a period of two years, the elimination of crunch time and prolonged mandatory overtime, clear job descriptions and promotion processes, and additional worker protections.

"From day one, we made it a priority to include every voice in the room, and the contract we came out with reflects what we need—better pay, real career paths, and protection from burnout. It’s a contract that actually values the work QA does," said Raven QA tester and GWA-CWA bargaining committee member Erin Hall. "I’m proud of what we accomplished, and I hope it shows other game workers that organizing works—and it’s worth it."