In a landmark moment for the U.S. video game industry, over 300 quality assurance (QA) workers at ZeniMax Media a Microsoft-owned video game studio have reached a tentative agreement on their first union contract with Microsoft. This unprecedented move represents the first major collective bargaining agreement between a union and a major tech company in the American gaming space.

A Two-Year Journey Comes to Fruition

The union, ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, was formed in January 2023 under the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Microsoft voluntarily recognized the union through a labour neutrality agreement, a gesture praised by labour advocates for setting a collaborative tone. Yet, the road to a contract was far from easy. Over nearly two years of negotiations including a one-day strike and a strike authorization vote workers pushed for meaningful improvements to compensation, job security, and workplace conditions.

Now, their persistence has culminated in a sweeping contract that could serve as a model for future union efforts in the tech and gaming sectors.

Key Terms of the Tentative Agreement

Substantial Pay Increases
One of the most significant provisions is a 13.5% across-the-board wage increase, along with the establishment of new minimum salary standards. These adjustments aim to elevate QA roles to better reflect their vital contributions to game development.

Job Security and Fair Treatment
The agreement includes robust protections against arbitrary dismissal and introduces a formal grievance process, giving workers the means to address workplace issues without fear of retaliation.

Recognition and Inclusion
QA employees will now be guaranteed credits in the games they help bring to life an overdue recognition of their integral role. Additionally, Microsoft has agreed to incorporate 77 contract workers into the union, some of whom will receive full-time roles. This not only extends protections to a broader set of employees but also challenges the often-precarious status of contract labour in the industry.

AI Governance
With artificial intelligence becoming increasingly embedded in game development and testing, the contract sets thoughtful guidelines for AI implementation. These ensure that such technologies remain human-centered and include worker input in their deployment.

A Watershed Moment for Game Workers

“This agreement is about raising the floor for video game workers everywhere,” said a representative from ZeniMax Workers United. “We love the work we do, but we also deserve to be respected, protected, and properly compensated.”

The agreement awaits ratification, with a vote scheduled before June 20, 2025. If approved, it would mark a major turning point for labor rights in an industry long plagued by overwork, low pay for QA testers, and unstable employment conditions.

Microsoft’s Role: A Model for the Industry?

Microsoft’s approach has garnered cautious praise. By voluntarily recognizing the union and maintaining a cooperative stance throughout negotiations, the tech giant has positioned itself in stark contrast to other industry players known for union-busting tactics.

“This contract shows that a better path is possible,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Microsoft’s neutrality agreement enabled workers to organize freely and negotiate in good faith, setting a powerful precedent for others in tech and gaming.”

A Broader Labor Wave

ZeniMax’s union success is not an isolated event. It comes amid a wave of labor activism across the gaming industry, with union efforts also taking root at other Microsoft subsidiaries such as Bethesda Game Studios and Blizzard Entertainment. The recent formation of the Overwatch GameMakers Guild, representing nearly 200 Blizzard employees, underscores a growing appetite for organized labor in creative tech industries.

Looking Ahead

If ratified, this contract will establish a new baseline for what unionization can achieve in video games. It sends a clear message: QA workers, often undervalued despite being the final line of defence in game development, will no longer be silent or side-lined.

As the industry continues to evolve with the rise of live-service models, AI tools, and cross-platform development worker voices will only grow more vital. The ZeniMax agreement isn’t just a milestone. It’s a signal that the future of gaming may finally be built on fairer, more sustainable foundations.