The Communication Workers of Americathe largest communications and media union in the United States of America, has addressed a letter to the Federal Trade Commission to express its consent to theclose acquisition agreement between Microsoft and Activision.
The FTC is still examining the $ 70 billion deal that should lead Activision-Blizzard to integrate into the Xbox division, and the support letter received from the CWA could play a major role in the final decision. The union expressed its favor following the agreement reached with Microsoft on the labor neutrality agreement.
“We support the approval of the transaction before you because Microsoft has entered into an agreement with CWA to ensure that Activision Blizzard workers have a clear path to collective bargaining “. CWA President Chris Shelton added: “Microsoft’s binding commitments will guarantee employees a seat at the table and ensure that the Activision Blizzard acquisition goes for the benefit of company workers and the wider video game job market“.
The CWA and Microsoft announced in June the labor neutrality agreement, which will take effect 60 days after the closing of the Activision Blizzard deal proposed by the tech company. The contract provides that Microsoft remains “neutral“when employees who fall under the terms of the agreement express their interest a form a union. In addition, the agreement provides that employees will be able to “Easily exercise their right to communicate with other colleagues and union representatives about union membership” without hindering day-to-day operations, and will enjoy a “lean” process for deciding to join a union while keeping their decisions confidential. Finally, the union and the company decided to “work together to reach an agreement promptly” in the event of a conflict and to seek a speedy arbitration process if the differences cannot be resolved.
If the acquisition is successful, Spellbreak, recently acquired by Activision to work on World of Warcraft, will also join Microsoft.
