NLRB Finds Merit in Union Complaint Against Activision Blizzard

The National Labor Relations Board has given credibility to a complaint filed by the Communications Workers of America union against Activision Blizzard, following an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing. The NLRB will be pursuing two out of three charges made by the union, as reported by IGN. One of the charges alleges that the company engaged in illegal surveillance during a worker walkout in July 2022, which was held in protest of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling. According to the CWA, Activision Blizzard had managers and security personnel present at the walkout, which the company claimed was to provide assistance to the press and ensure a safe environment. However, the union argues that this constituted an attempt to intimidate workers who were exercising their right to protest. The second charge the NLRB found merit in involves a threat made by Activision Blizzard to restrict employee access to internal communication channels where workers were discussing their wages, hours, and working conditions. On the other hand, the NLRB dismissed a charge that claimed the company had violated workers' rights by disabling the chat function during an all-hands meeting. The company's chief administrative officer, Brian Bulatao, explained that the decision to remove chat functions from all-hands meetings was made after some employees used the chat to disparage the work of the Diablo Immortal team. Bulatao emphasized that the company supports employees' rights to express their views, but will not tolerate abusive behavior. In response to the NLRB's decision, the CWA stated that Activision Blizzard's actions demonstrate a pattern of disregard for the law and an attempt to silence workers. The union has numerous pending complaints against the company, alleging illegal union-busting activities. The CWA is calling on Activision Blizzard to cease its anti-union efforts, allow workers to freely exercise their right to organize, and commit to negotiating a fair contract with union workers.