Id Software, the legendary studio behind the iconic Doom series, has taken a monumental step towards forming a "wall-to-wall" union that would unite every single employee under one roof – literally and figuratively.
The decision comes after months of grassroots organizing by id employees, who sought to protect their rights and push back against unilateral changes imposed by industry executives. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) played a pivotal role in facilitating the unionization effort, which was endorsed by Microsoft, the parent company of ZeniMax Media – the umbrella under which id Software operates.
According to Andrew Willis, an id producer and CWA committee member, the "wall-to-wall" organizing effort is essential for developers across the industry to come together and fight for their rights. The union will focus on issues such as remote work, accessibility, and responsible AI use, with Chris Hays, id Lead Services Programmer, stating that remote work is not a perk, but a necessity for employees' health and well-being.
The union's efforts have been gaining momentum over the past year, particularly after Microsoft closed several Bethesda studios. Ron Swaggerty, CWA Local 6215 President, expressed optimism about negotiating a contract that reflects the skill, creativity, and dedication of id Software workers.
With Microsoft already recognizing this new effort through a labor neutrality agreement, it appears that id Software's unionization bid has all but been approved. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the future of work will be shaped by the collective voices of game developers like those at id Software.
It remains to be seen how the unionization process will play out in practice, but for now, it seems that id Software employees have sent a clear message: they're united and ready to take on the challenges of the gaming industry as a team.
The decision comes after months of grassroots organizing by id employees, who sought to protect their rights and push back against unilateral changes imposed by industry executives. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) played a pivotal role in facilitating the unionization effort, which was endorsed by Microsoft, the parent company of ZeniMax Media – the umbrella under which id Software operates.
According to Andrew Willis, an id producer and CWA committee member, the "wall-to-wall" organizing effort is essential for developers across the industry to come together and fight for their rights. The union will focus on issues such as remote work, accessibility, and responsible AI use, with Chris Hays, id Lead Services Programmer, stating that remote work is not a perk, but a necessity for employees' health and well-being.
The union's efforts have been gaining momentum over the past year, particularly after Microsoft closed several Bethesda studios. Ron Swaggerty, CWA Local 6215 President, expressed optimism about negotiating a contract that reflects the skill, creativity, and dedication of id Software workers.
With Microsoft already recognizing this new effort through a labor neutrality agreement, it appears that id Software's unionization bid has all but been approved. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the future of work will be shaped by the collective voices of game developers like those at id Software.
It remains to be seen how the unionization process will play out in practice, but for now, it seems that id Software employees have sent a clear message: they're united and ready to take on the challenges of the gaming industry as a team.