King Rejects Collective Bargaining Agreement with Swedish Trade Unions

King, the developer behind Candy Crush, has opted not to proceed with a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish unions Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer. According to an email sent by King's president, Todd Green, to staff, the decision follows a year of negotiations during which the company evaluated the potential implications of adopting such an agreement. King claims that its current benefits package, which includes pensions, long-term sick pay, private health insurance, and parental leave, is more favorable for its employees than what would be offered under a collective bargaining agreement. Green emphasized that implementing a collective agreement would necessitate significant changes to the company's operational structure in Sweden, affecting processes, policies, and working methods. The company believes its current operating model is best suited for its needs, including its Swedish operations. Green stressed that the decision was made after careful consideration and does not reflect a lack of respect for trade unions or the Swedish labor model. King will continue to engage with the trade union club in a constructive and respectful manner. The decision has been met with disappointment from Unionen, which stated that many of King's employees see a collective bargaining agreement as a means to secure transparent terms, greater security, and meaningful workplace influence. Despite this, King remains committed to supporting its employees and maintaining a dialogue with local union representatives. The move comes as several Microsoft subsidiaries, including King's parent company Activision, have unionized in recent years.