ZeniMax QA Union Reaches Tentative Contract with Microsoft, Promises Major Wage Hikes and Protections
The ZeniMax Workers United have successfully negotiated a tentative agreement with Microsoft, including significant wage increases and worker protections after a potential strike.
Just two months after voting to authorize a strike action over stalled negotiations with Microsoft, ZeniMax Workers United-CWA has announced a tentative contract agreement that includes “substantial across-the-board wage increases” along with new minimum salaries, protections against arbitrary dismissals, grievance procedures, and acknowledgment policies for QA workers’ contributions to video games.
“QA workers from across the country continue to lead the charge for industry-wide change,” said senior QA tester and ZeniMax Workers United-CWA bargaining committee member Page Branson in the announcement. “Going toe-to-toe with one of the largest corporations in the world isn’t a small feat. This is a monumental victory for all current videogame workers and for those that come after.”
Translation: This is a remarkable achievement not only for us but for future workers as well.
Negotiations began shortly after the formation of ZeniMax Workers United in January 2023, but made limited progress until now.
In response to negotiations being stalled, the union authorized a strike in April 2025 to leverage negotiations.
Zachary Armstrong, another QA tester and member of ZeniMax Workers United-CWA stated, “If Microsoft and ZeniMax continue to show at the bargaining table that they’re unwilling to pay us fair wages for the value our labor provides, we will demonstrate our value.”
Translation: We’re prepared to show them how essential we are if they don’t agree to fair pay.
Microsoft commented that “substantial progress” had been made, claiming they presented a “fair” proposal which, if accepted, would lead to immediate compensation increases and enhanced benefits.
The next steps involve “contract explanation meetings” for the union’s more than 300 members and a ratification vote expected by June 20. If approved, this will become the first union agreement of its kind in the US gaming industry, indicating a step forward for labor rights in the sector.
Unionization movements have been gaining momentum recently, with multiple game studios seeing similar formations over the past year, reflecting a growing trend in labor organization within the gaming industry.
