The UK Games Industry's Push for Unionization

Over the past few years, the video game industry has seen a significant surge in unionization efforts. This shift from mere conversation to concrete action has led to the formation of bargaining units at major companies like Raven Software, ZeniMax, and Blizzard in the United States, as well as the unionization of workers at Ubisoft Halifax in Canada. In the UK, the Game Workers branch of the Independent Workers of Great Britain union, established in December 2018, has been at the forefront of this movement. With approximately 1,500 members and consistent monthly growth, the union is working towards improving working conditions and fighting for workers' rights in the industry. According to Spring McParlinJones, chair of the IWGB Game Workers Union, the conversation about unionization gained momentum around six or seven years ago, when the realities of crunch time and its effects on workers began to surface. This, combined with the broader cultural and political discussions around leftist politics, created a fertile ground for the unionization movement. The relentless waves of layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations have further emphasized the need for collective action. McParlinJones emphasizes that the current structure of the industry is unsustainable, with wealth disproportionately flowing towards executives and shareholders, leaving workers overworked and undervalued. The case for unionization, she argues, is about workers coming together to demand fair treatment, a say in company decision-making, and a more equitable distribution of profits. Despite the growing momentum, there are challenges to overcome, including an undercurrent of individualism in the tech industry and a lack of awareness about the union and its goals. To address this, the union is focusing on building a sense of community and having open conversations with workers. John Paul Donnelly, secretary of the IWGB Game Workers Union, believes that simple conversations can help dispel myths and fears about unionization, allowing workers to see the benefits of collective action. The union is currently supporting workers at various studios across the UK, including those affected by layoffs and other work-related disputes. While there are detractors, the union remains optimistic about its mission, recognizing that the traditional narrative of unions as hostile to employers is not accurate. Instead, the IWGB Game Workers Union seeks to collaborate with employers to create a better work environment for everyone involved. The union's efforts are also focused on pushing for greater representation of workers in industry decision-making bodies, such as the UK Video Games Council. As the games industry continues to face dark days, the IWGB Game Workers Union remains hopeful about the future, with Donnelly believing that the next few years will be pivotal for the union's growth and success.