ZA/UM UK Staff Unite to Form Workers' Alliance Amid Layoffs and Controversy

Following a series of layoffs, cancellations, and controversies, the employees at ZA/UM have taken a significant step towards securing their future by forming a union. The ZA/UM Workers' Alliance, represented by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), aims to provide a collective voice for the staff and ensure that their rights are respected. Marketing manager Poppy Ingham, speaking on behalf of the union, emphasized the importance of collaboration between workers and management, stating, "We like being here, we want to continue being here, so let's try and get a seat at the table in the big management meetings." The union's establishment is a response to the challenges faced by the studio, including the cancellation of several projects and the loss of nearly two dozen colleagues to layoffs. The staff at ZA/UM are determined to make their voices heard and work towards creating a more secure and comfortable work environment. As UI/UX designer and union representative Declan Keane noted, "The more I've worked here, the more I've realized that what we have is a unique makeup of people, and the union is a large effort to solidify that." The formation of the union is seen as a positive step towards addressing the issues faced by the industry, including the lack of collective bargaining power. Ingham believes that the union will help to pave the way for other studios to follow suit, stating, "We were seeing cancellations and redundancies all over the industry, so we really want to try and pave the way for other folks as well." The management at ZA/UM, led by president Ed Tomaszewski, has expressed its commitment to recognizing the union and working collaboratively to address the concerns of the staff. Tomaszewski highlighted the studio's existing initiatives, such as 35-hour work weeks, comprehensive health insurance, and dedicated mental health resources, as evidence of its commitment to providing fair working practices. The future of ZA/UM looks promising, with the studio working on new projects, including the espionage RPG Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. As Ingham noted, "The hope for the future of ZA/UM is just to continue what we're doing, but in a very secure and comfortable position now that we have the union established." With the union in place, the staff at ZA/UM are confident that they can work together to create a better future for themselves and the studio.