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[kingfey]

Activision Blizzard Is Sending Anti-Union Emails Ahead of Raven Software Vote - IGN

Activision Blizzard is actively discouraging Raven Software QA employees from voting in favor of unionization, ahead of an ongoing election with a deadline of May 20.

www.ign.com

Activision Blizzard is actively discouraging Raven Software QA employees from voting in favor of unionization, ahead of an ongoing election with a deadline of May 20.

According to a Washington Post report, Raven management has been sending employees messages and holding town hall meetings about the election, including an April 26 town hall where employees were told that unionization might harm game development and impact promotions or benefits.

Following that event, an email was reportedly send around to employees with a graphic attached that read, "Please vote no."

The National Labor Relations Board approved the unionization vote in late April, following an extended back and forth between quality assurance workers and management beginning last year after Activision Blizard laid off around a dozen QA contractors unexpectedly.

Following a walkout in protest, Raven Software moved to unionize, filing a petition with the NLRB when Activision Blizzard did not voluntarily recognize their union by the set deadline. Ballots have been mailed out to eligible QA workers with a deadline of May 20 and a planned ballot count on May 23 over video conference.

All this is occurring while Activision Blizzard remains under heightened legal scrutiny from a number of other directions, including the SEC (related to its pending acquisition by Microsoft), various New York City funds, as well as multiple ongoing lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and unequal treatment of women employees.

 

[ManaByte]

This is like the bat signal for you-know-who.

 

[kingfey]

Welcome to the circus

 

[MScarpa]

Here they come, you know who they are. In 5. . 4. 3. 2.

 

[kingfey]

This is like the bat signal for you-know-who.

I am surprised at their ability to do every shit they can, while they are under shit investigation.

Its never a dull day at activision. They always find things to fuck up, at every possible way.

 

[GHG]

Really looking forward to this deal going through.

 

[Kacho]

“Did someone say Union?”

 

[C2brixx]

I don't know why this is surprising news. What company wants to deal with unions? Even without the harassment drama no employer wants that. You see the way Amazon is fighting it tooth and nail.

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

Everyone should be unionized

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

MS will do the same.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Everyone should be unionized

 

[kingfey]

The thing is, does these stuff work?
Companies can just go behind the union, by firing these people, and replacing them with new fresh body.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

The thing is, does these stuff work?
Companies can just go behind the union, by firing these people, and replacing them with new fresh bodies.

who knows. but it seems big companies are super scared of this shit.

 

[kingfey]

who knows. but it seems big companies are super scared of this shit.

"decent raises, affordable health care, job security, and a stable schedule."
They are afraid of these.

 

[Punished Miku]

You see the way Amazon is fighting it tooth and nail.

Which just tells you how good of an idea it is for workers there. The story around the Amazon union building is genuinely crazy. They paid people 3k a day from high end out of state corporate firms to try to talk people out of it. Pro union people followed them around and handed out fliers showing who it was and what they got paid for union busting. Turned out to be a very effective tactic.

Amazon is one of the biggest employers in the US. Broad unionization in just Amazon could change the course of history for workers like nothing you've seen before. Its pretty much the most important thing happening now for the average worker in terms of possibility for economic impact.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

"decent raises, affordable health care, job security, and a stable schedule."
They are afraid of these.

That seems good for the workers.

 

[rabbity-thing]

If the people in power don't want you to have one, then that should tell you all you need to know about who benefits the most from unions.

 

[Mech_Warrior]

Good for the workers. Apes together strong.

 

[kingfey]

That seems good for the workers.

I want the last one for my job. They are forcing us to work extra time anytime they want to, while we get 10 min break, and 20mi lunch for the regular 8 hour. No one in the company can say anything, because its warehouse job, and you can be fired easily.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I want the last one for my job. They are forcing us to work extra time anytime they want to, while we get 10 min break, and 20mi lunch for the regular 8 hour. No one in the company can say anything, because its warehouse job, and you can be fired easily.

That sucks. So, its good this companies feel the pressure of the workers.

 

[Hendrick's]

Unions are just Democrat money laundering schemes.

 

[Punished Miku]

Unions are just Democrat money laundering schemes.

No theyre not. The only union around where I live is the police union. They aren't interested in giving it up either.

 

[pqueue]

just move the development studios to right-to-work states and shut that shit down.

 

[MasterCornholio]

I want the last one for my job. They are forcing us to work extra time anytime they want to, while we get 10 min break, and 20mi lunch for the regular 8 hour. No one in the company can say anything, because its warehouse job, and you can be fired easily.

Damn makes my job look good. Didn’t know you had it so rough.

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

just move the development studios to right-to-work states and shut that shit down.

You can still unionize in right to work states. Most people pay their union dues willingly.

 

[AJUMP23]

Thinking that a union solves all your problems just isn’t true. I imagine that for their labor they are fairly compensated and that their benefits are pretty good at these large software development companies. Their main issue is the crunch culture, and I wonder if a union can solve that and other issues they have. Most unions have formed from abuse in manufacturing In the US.
I am not a big fan of them because I think the individual negotiate for themselves.

A company has every right to point out the downsides of unions to employees they just cannot interfere in the election. Unions are expensive and cost companies a lot of money in overhead.

 

[Shmunter]

Unions lift the dead wood, while anchoring those who excel.

There is a place for unions in repetitive work industries, where the workforce is essentially an army of drones. But in creative pursuits?

Should form a professional body and not a union like dock workers.

 

[pqueue]

You can still unionize in right to work states. Most people pay their union dues willingly.

nd in some, you do not have to be a member of the union as a condition of employment.

and in all, you can fully chose to tell the union shills to pound sand and keep your money.

 

[StateofMajora]

Which just tells you how good of an idea it is for workers there. The story around the Amazon union building is genuinely crazy. They paid people 3k a day from high end out of state corporate firms to try to talk people out of it. Pro union people followed them around and handed out fliers showing who it was and what they got paid for union busting. Turned out to be a very effective tactic.

Amazon is one of the biggest employers in the US. Broad unionization in just Amazon could change the course of history for workers like nothing you've seen before. Its pretty much the most important thing happening now for the average worker in terms of possibility for economic impact.

I hope they win and Amazon can get fucked.

Same with Walmart. You get hired at a Walmart distribution center and literally the first thing they show you is anti union video. Walmart is a better company than Amazon but not by much.

Walmart has legit closed down entire stores for fear of unionizing, for the precedent it would set.

 

[Ezekiel_]

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

nd in some, you do not have to be a member of the union as a condition of employment.

and in all, you can fully chose to tell the union shills to pound sand and keep your money.

Most people are happy to join the union because most people aren't total fucking idiots like you.

 

[kingfey]

Damn makes my job look good. Didn’t know you had it so rough.

They told us, that they really don't have to give break to us.
If I didn't want the job badly, I would have left the orientation on the spot.

Right now, I am going to save money. Once I have enough to cover the rent, I would quit that job, and look for a new job.

 

[Ghost of Caelid]

Hopefully the unionization efforts works. Companies put millions (billions) behind preventing unions. Just gotta convince a few to vote against there interest.

 

[pqueue]

Most people are happy to join the union because most people aren't total fucking idiots like you.

Well aren't you just a Resetera level of special.

Unions are evil, exist only for themselves, should be entirely optional with no forced requirement to join, and no forced requirement to give them a single penny of your own hard earned money.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Be careful what you wish for.

If you look at the biggest companies and industries out there with good pay, most arent unionized. Software/tech, pharma, banks. Ok, I'm sure lots there's lots of unionized workers at energy companies.

Unions are best suited for industries with tons of replaceable workers where people panic they'll get replaced by a 20 year old looking for a job. If someone panics that bad about job security or bad pay, it's not the company being cheap or oppressive. It's you being a worker not worth paying.

Every company will pay good money to keep you if you're that good at your job.

 

[BeardGawd]

Unions lift the dead wood, while anchoring those who excel.

Perfectly said. Although I'm sure it helps some it basically just makes everyone the same. And you habe to pay Union dues even if the Union doesn't benefit you.

 

[Bitmap Frogs]

Be careful what you wish for.

If you look at the biggest companies and industries out there with good pay, most arent unionized. Software/tech, pharma, banks. Ok, I'm sure lots there's lots of unionized workers at energy companies.

Unions are best suited for industries with tons of replaceable workers where people panic they'll get replaced by a 20 year old looking for a job. If someone panics that bad about job security or bad pay, it's not the company being cheap or oppressive. It's you being a worker not worth paying.

Every company will pay good money to keep you if you're that good at your job.

That’s just an American thing. Over here in Europe industries with good pay are unionized as well.

Don’t let corporativist propaganda get to you. Unionize.

 

[cormack12]

Unions are garbage that's why I left ours years ago. They have no power certainly in the UK. On some major issues they might get a less shitty compromise but ultimately they are a relic of the past these days. Advice passed down by working class parents more often than not.

As I understand it in the US, they are far more likely to just cut their losses with everything than deal with unions as well.

 

[Jennings]

Unions lift the dead wood, while anchoring those who excel.

There is a place for unions in repetitive work industries, where the workforce is essentially an army of drones. But in creative pursuits?

Should form a professional body and not a union like dock workers.

QA departments don't foster creativity and have no creative pursuits.

 

[Shmunter]

QA departments don't foster creativity and have no creative pursuits.

QA departments most certainly create quality assurance practices, policies and procedures. You're talking about a basic tester following a donkey sheet procedure.

 

[WitchHunter]

Here they come, you know who they are. In 5. . 4. 3. 2.

Who?

 

[STARSBarry]

The thing is, does these stuff work?
Companies can just go behind the union, by firing these people, and replacing them with new fresh body.

No idea if this is from a USA perspective but here in the UK you can't just do that. Unfair dismissal is a big nono and the fact that employee just joined a union and was then mysteriously ejected would be scrutinised heavily, resulting in eye watering numbers going to the employee if the Corp is found out of order. Being unioned would also make this far harder, because now you have financial backing of the union and their ability to take this to court with lawyers specialised in this area.

Working in an industry both un-unionised and unionised I tell you truthfully being part of a workforce that is heavily unionised is far better as an employee.

Let me put it down in simple terms, the people telling you unions are bad tend to be either from workforces with incredibly poor union representation who also seem to hate their job... or are part of the senior management team who's role is normally to minimise worker benefits to maximise profits.

There will of course be bad unions and people with bad experiences with them, but with 20 years in the workforce and roles in and out I can only see unionisation as a positive. They act as a balance checker, making sure management obey the same rules that they punish those beneath them with.

Of course this turns the whole reason for a companies existence on its head. They exist to make money, but the question is for who? A bunch of old rich people who sit there doing nothing but betting with other peoples money, or the people who work for that company. Unions seem to help at least slow that erosion towards the former, at least in my experience.

Dismissal: your rights

Dismissal is when your employer ends your employment - reasons you can be dismissed, unfair and constructive dismissal and what to do if you're dismissed

www.gov.uk

Notice one key bullet point there.

"Joined a trade union"

 

[MonkeyClaw36]

I want the last one for my job. They are forcing us to work extra time anytime they want to, while we get 10 min break, and 20mi lunch for the regular 8 hour. No one in the company can say anything, because its warehouse job, and you can be fired easily.

Lemme guess, you work and live in the USA?

Man that shithole country is behind on so many levels... Basic healthcare for everyone, workers rights (or the absense of those)....... I'm glad in my country, employees get protected and have a shit ton of rights and can't be just layed off for not working hours which arent in your job description.

We can just say Fuck no! And the boss has to deal with that.

 

[kingfey]

Lemme guess, you work and live in the USA?

Yes

 

[Fuz]

...didn't this happen already?

 

[Kadve]

The thing is, does these stuff work?
Companies can just go behind the union, by firing these people, and replacing them with new fresh body.

Except replacing an entire workforce can take months or even years. Time which said company would get nothing done in. Not to mention ow they're reputation would suffer from it and will probably only find people desperate enough to work for them. People you normally don't want as part of your workforce.

 

[Imru’ al-Qays]

Well aren't you just a Resetera level of special.

Unions are evil, exist only for themselves, should be entirely optional with no forced requirement to join, and no forced requirement to give them a single penny of your own hard earned money.

Resetera are woketards, there's nothing woke about taking your boss's dick out of your mouth and fighting for your own interests.

 

[saintjules]

 

[VectorVictor]

Unions are just Democrat money laundering schemes.

I’m honestly shocked it took this long in the thread before we got regurgitated political herp-a-derp like this.

 

[Daytonabot]

That seems good for the workers.

It's not. It's only good for the union bosses and the politicians' whose pockets they line.