Summary

• The ZeniMax QA workers union and Microsoft have landed on a tentative contract after over two years of negotiations.
• According to the CWA, the ZeniMax-Microsoft deal will result in wage increases, minimum salaries, AI usage guidelines, and more.
• If all goes to plan, the contract will be ratified on June 20.

After more than two years of negotiations, the quality assurance (QA) workers at ZeniMax Media have reached a tentative union contract agreement with Microsoft. This significant development in labor relations has been announced by the Communication Workers of America (CWA), although the contract still awaits ratification.

Established in early 2023, the ZeniMax Workers United-CWA union has over 300 QA workers as members and received immediate recognition from Microsoft, who publicly committed to neutrality regarding union matters in 2024. However, negotiations were stalled for nearly two years, causing frustration among union members. In April 2025, workers voted to authorize a strike due to concerns regarding labor practices, the absence of remote work options, and the replacement of in-house staff with contract labor.

Now, the ZeniMax workers and Microsoft have finally agreed upon a tentative contract that addresses many of those concerns. According to the CWA, the agreement includes substantial wage increases, new minimum salaries for QA workers, protections against arbitrary dismissals, and formal grievance procedures. Notably, there is a revised crediting policy that ensures QA workers are properly acknowledged for their contributions to game development. Furthermore, the contract has specific language regarding the use of AI tools in the workplace, which gives workers a voice in how these tools are implemented.

The CWA has stated that the ZeniMax-Microsoft contract is a significant achievement for organized labor in the gaming industry. Jessee Leese, a member of the bargaining committee and a QA tester at ZeniMax, emphasized the deal’s symbolic significance, saying it serves as “an invitation” for industry professionals to “take action.” CWA President Claude Cummings mirrored Leese’s sentiments, calling the contract a testament to the power of collective action. The contract could potentially be ratified by June 20, amidst growing unionization efforts across the gaming sector in the U.S. Numerous worker unions within Microsoft, such as those at Raven Software, Activision QA, ZeniMax Online Studios, and the Overwatch development team, are currently engaged in talks with the tech giant.