According to IGN, a group of Dragon Age 4 quality assurance testers has filed a unionization application.
Employees that work directly with BioWare but as contractors for supporting firm Keywords Studios are aiming to form a union over reasons such as low pay, a return to work mandate, and other issues.
What Triggered the Employees To Apply for a Union?
Kotaku mentioned that an anonymous representative of the workers said that a return-to-work notice earlier this month served as the fuel for unionization.
Despite the fact that approximately 1,000 new COVID cases are recorded every day in Alberta, Canada, Keywords apparently told everyone they would have to return to BioWare's office in person five days a week starting May 9.
It was also reported that even though Alberta's health guidelines require a 14-day quarantine once someone tests positive for COVID, the informant said Keywords employees do not receive any paid time off.
Full-time BioWare employees, on the other hand, would still be able to work from home. When the pandemic initially broke out in March 2020, Keywords was chastised for its lax sick-day policy and for urging some of its employees to stay in the office.
Other Concerns of the Employees
IGN said that the return to work announcement appeared to be the final straw for the 15-20 QA testers who were already being underpaid.
According to the source, some employees are paid $16.50 Canadian dollars per hour, or $12.82 US dollars, which is significantly less than similar roles performed by full BioWare employees.
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Other concerns included salary discrimination based on gender, a lack of useful performance evaluations, and a hostile attitude to unionization efforts.
The Alberta Labor Relations Board is presently reviewing the union application, which was filed on April 20. Within the next two weeks, a vote on unionization will be taken, and the results will be confirmed by the board within another two weeks, as per IGN.
The group is quite certain it will win the vote, according to the source, citing the recent efforts of Raven Software QA personnel to unionize, giving them more control over their workplace.
Despite alleged attempts by the developer to stop them, they formed the first union within Activision Blizzard. Activision Blizzard explained that the workers were left out of recent wage hikes because of "legal obligations under the National Labor Relations Act."
Other gaming companies have been subjected to labor complaints recently. As previously reported, an anonymous employee filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on April 15 against Nintendo and the contracting firm Aston Carter.
Not Only Video Game Companies Have Recently Applied for a Union
As per previous report, employees at Apple's New York Grand Central Station have stated their intention to form a union.
Workers are dissatisfied with how the cost of living in New York City has risen while their incomes have held steady. They also mentioned how Apple's wealth has expanded without their employees benefiting much.
Aside from demanding a minimum pay of $30 per hour, the group sought greater vacation time and information on stronger safety rules.
If the organizers succeed, it will be the first time Apple employees have formed a union.
Related Article: Activision Blizzard Converts 1,100 US-Based QA Employees Full-Time Employment, Raises Base Wages
