CWA Files Complaint Against Activision Over Alleged Unlawful Termination of Employees

The Communications Workers of America has initiated legal proceedings against Activision Blizzard in response to the termination of two quality assurance employees. According to reports, the two staff members were let go on February 17 after expressing concerns about Activision's decision to implement a partial return to in-office work, which the CWA claims violates labor laws. The CWA stated that numerous employees had protested the return-to-office plan, citing concerns about the cost of living and the potential impact on colleagues who might be forced to leave their jobs. Two QA testers had used strong language to express their outrage, and in response, management scheduled disciplinary meetings, resulting in the termination of both workers. The specific charges filed by the CWA are unclear, but they were filed against Activision Blizzard's CEO, Bobby Kotick. The union claims that the employees' termination was a direct response to their participation in protected, concerted, and union activities, and that Activision improperly denied a request to have a coworker witness the disciplinary meeting that preceded the termination. The CWA had previously filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board in September 2021 and August 2022, accusing Activision Blizzard of engaging in union-busting activities. Following the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, the CWA entered into a labor neutrality agreement with Microsoft in June 2022, guaranteeing a safe path to unionization for Activision Blizzard's employees if the merger is approved. Earlier this month, the CWA urged the European Commission to approve the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard acquisition. In a recent update, the CWA shared its full statement, highlighting that until 2020, the use of strong language and outbursts in this context was protected by the National Labor Relations Board. The union noted that the Trump administration modified the standard for determining whether employees had been lawfully discharged or disciplined after making offensive statements, which the organization claims limits free speech rights for employees. Sara Steffens, the union's secretary-treasurer, commented, 'For far too long, Activision has treated its employees, especially QA testers, like disposable assets. Terminating two employees for expressing concerns about return-to-office policies alongside their colleagues is blatant retaliation.' The regional office of the NLRB will now investigate the CWA's charges.