Addressing the Systemic Issues in the UK Games Industry through Unionization

The video game industry has experienced significant growth in unionization over the past few years, with notable successes in the United States and Canada. In the UK, the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) Game Workers Union has been at the forefront of this movement. Despite the lack of major victories, the union has seen consistent growth in membership and is working to improve working conditions and treatment of game workers. The union's chair, Spring McParlinJones, and secretary, John Paul Donnelly, attribute the surge in unionization to the increasing awareness of crunch and poor working conditions in the industry, as well as the cultural shift towards leftist politics. They emphasize that the current state of the industry, with its relentless layoffs and overwork, is unsustainable and that unionization is necessary to bring about change. The union is working to break down the barriers of individualism and isolation in the tech industry, which can make it difficult for workers to come together and demand better treatment. By engaging in collective action and community-building, the IWGB Game Workers Union aims to challenge the anti-union bias and neoliberal thinking that has dominated the industry for decades. The union is also working to support workers affected by layoffs, forced return-to-office orders, and other work-related disputes. While there are detractors, the union believes that by educating workers about their rights and the benefits of unionization, they can dispel myths and build a stronger, more sustainable industry. The IWGB Game Workers Union is committed to working collaboratively with employers to create a better work environment for everyone, rather than adopting an adversarial approach. As the industry continues to face challenges, the union is optimistic about the future and the potential for game workers to come together and demand change.