Game workers file to unionize with CWA Canada

In one of the first drives of its kind at a video game company, workers at Bethesda Game Studios (BGS) have filed to unionize with media union CWA Canada.

The union filed with the Quebec Labour Relations Board on June 26 after a strong majority of 117 staff at BGS in Montreal signed union cards. The board will certify the union once a card check is completed.

The producers, programmers, artists, designers, animators and quality assurance staff (QAs) say they are unionizing for a stronger voice at work (workplace democracy), layoff protections, better work-life balance, wage transparency, and other workplace improvements.

“In an unstable but very passionate industry it’s time we come together and wield our collective power, so we can protect each other and bring real democracy to our workplace,” Senior Animator Martin Valenzuela said.

Special Effects Artist Miguel Oses said: “Being in a union allows our combined voices to advocate for respect, fairness and improved working conditions.”

CWA Canada President Carmel Smyth welcomed the new members: “CWA Canada is proud to support the efforts and commitment of these brave workers who are improving the potential for generations of workers in the video gaming industry.”

BGS, a subsidiary of Zenimax Media Inc., which is part of Microsoft Gaming, is the award-winning development team known around the world for their groundbreaking work on The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series.

CWA Canada is the country’s only all-media union, representing 6,000 workers at the CBC, The Canadian Press, APTN, and newspapers and other companies coast to coast.