Zenimax Online Studios Employees Form Union

The development team behind Elder Scrolls Online, Zenimax Online Studios, has successfully formed a union. According to an announcement by the Communications Workers of America, the newly established union, known as ZOS United-CWA, comprises 461 members and has gained recognition from its parent company, Microsoft. The union's membership includes a diverse range of professionals, such as web developers, designers, engineers, and graphic artists. While the majority of unionized workers are based in Maryland, others are spread across the United States, with locations in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. This union is the latest to emerge from the Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA), an initiative that has facilitated the unionization of over 6,000 workers since 2020. Alyssa Gobelle, a senior motion graphics artist and ZOS United-CWA member, expressed her enthusiasm for the union, stating that it enables workers to take a collective step towards a more secure future, with enhanced protections against layoffs and exploitation. John Hartzell, a principal economy designer and ZOS United-CWA member, emphasized the benefits of unionization, noting that it works to the advantage of all workers, regardless of their role, studio, or location. This development follows the unionization of hundreds of staff members at Bethesda Game Studios, a sister company, earlier in the year.