Last week, CWA members at Microsoft-owned video game studio ZeniMax reached a tentative agreement for their first contract after over two years of bargaining.

In January 2023, ZeniMax Workers United-CWA formed the first video game studio union at Microsoft, representing over 300 quality assurance workers in Maryland and Texas. ZeniMax Media is a video game production company known for its popular games such as Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, and more.

The new agreement sets new standards for video game quality assurance workers, including significant across-the-board wage increases, position upgrades, job security measures, and professional development opportunities.

“QA workers from across the country continue to lead the charge for industry-wide change,” said Page Branson, Senior II QA Tester and ZeniMax Workers United-CWA bargaining committee member. “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 video game workers and for those that come after.”

Over 2,000 Microsoft video game workers have joined CWA under a groundbreaking neutrality agreement that enables them to freely and fairly make a choice about union representation.

The workers are members of CWA Locals 2100, 2108, and 6215. Contract explanation meetings and a ratification vote are being scheduled.

Last week, CWA members, retirees, and supporters mobilized across the country to hold legislators accountable for the federal budget bill, which is expected to reduce or cut Medicaid coverage from millions of working-class Americans. Those “savings” will be transferred to the wealthiest Americans in the form of tax breaks.

This disastrous bill would take healthcare from children and seniors, our most vulnerable populations. It is expected to raise healthcare and insurance costs for workers while forcing rural hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home-health agencies to close or downsize.

The bill has passed out of the House and will go before the Senate for debate. Activists are calling on legislators to vote against the bill in the Senate and in the House when it returns for a final vote.

CWA members, retirees, and supporters mobilized to hold legislators accountable, visiting offices for (clockwise from upper left) Rep. Thomas Kean (N.J.), Rep. Maria Salazar (Fla.), Rep. Monica de la Cruz (Texas), Rep. Young Kim (Calif.), Rep. David Schweikert (Ariz.), and Rep. John James (Mich.).

IUE-CWA President Carl Kennebrew (front row, right), along with the IUE-CWA GE Aerospace bargaining committee, kicked off bargaining with GE Aerospace on Monday. Kennebrew, in his opening statement, said, “My father worked at GE, so I know what a good union retirement can look like. Our members and retirees no longer have that peace of mind.” Along with IUE-CWA, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers has two representatives bargaining, as the contract will also apply to them. Director of Automotive and Aerospace Industries for global union federation IndustriALL, Georg Leutert, also participated in the opening. IndustriALL members represent workers in the GE supply chain around the world.

Follow "United at GE" on Facebook for official IUE-CWA/GE National Contract bargaining updates.

CWA members rally for affordable healthcare for state and public sector workers in New Jersey.

Thousands of CWA members and other public sector allies gathered at the New Jersey state house on Wednesday to deliver a message to state lawmakers to put a stop to skyrocketing healthcare costs for New Jersey’s public sector workforce.

“New Jersey’s public sector workers keep our state running every single day, and they should not be punished with unaffordable healthcare costs,” said Dennis Trainor, CWA District 1 Vice President. “It’s time for lawmakers to take real action to rein in healthcare profiteering and deliver the affordability, transparency, and accountability that public workers—and all New Jerseyans—deserve.”

Public sector union workers are fighting for common-sense cost control and solutions like claims auditing, enforcing existing contracts with insurance carriers, and fair pricing that would rein in the costs of care overall, generating enormous savings for the State, local governments, and workers.

“No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for their medicine or doctor’s visit,” said Assemblyman Cody Miller. “That’s why we’re fighting to pass legislation that puts patients before profits. We can make New Jersey a leader in affordable, quality healthcare for every resident.”

For two weeks in May, CWA members, retirees, and labor allies participated in a unique outreach effort to more than 2,800 CWA members in the Charlotte, N.C., area. Allies included members of UNITE-HERE and UAW who were curious about the program and contemplating doing similar outreach to their own membership.

The action resulted in hundreds of conversations with members. As activists listened, CWAers cited the current economy, rising inflation, and the high cost of living as major concerns. Many members were pleasantly surprised to have their union show up at their door and expressed interest in getting more involved. Canvassers talked to CWA members who work at Piedmont, American, and PSA Airlines, as well as AT&T Wire Technicians, NABET-CWA members, and a member of The NewsGuild-CWA.

The unique approach activists took in Charlotte was to begin conversations with open-ended questions in order to listen to members' issues instead of our traditional outreach focused on delivering information. Members said they appreciated the attention. Activists also found creative ways to celebrate their union siblings, like delivering flowers to mothers on Mother’s Day.

Organizers and staff considered the program a success and hope other locals will adopt some of their methods for future member outreach.

CWA members from Locals 3603, 3611, 3641, 3642, and 3204 participated in a door-to-door outreach campaign to hear from members in and around Charlotte, N.C.

Last week, IUE-CWA workers at Metal Powder Products (MPP) in Campbellsburg, Ind. (IUE-CWA Local 88502), expressed their frustration with the company by holding an informational picket. Workers have been in negotiations for over a year with no agreement in sight.

MPP management has delayed progress, rejecting basic improvement proposals. The bargaining team was able to secure annual pay raises for workers, but key issues remain unresolved, including a full wage package, 401(k) matching, affordable insurance, and an end to the recently implemented “earn-as-you-go” vacation accrual system. Workers have filed multiple Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board for surveilling employees doing union activities, withholding raises and evaluations, and even organizing a search of the shop by police who deployed K-9 units.

“It felt like a raid—police with dogs going through the facility with no warning,” said one MPP worker. “There was no incident or reason for it. It felt like an attempt to scare us, to punish us for standing together. We’re not the enemy. We’re the people who’ve kept this place running and helped build MPP into what it is. This community has always supported this company, but we deserve respect and fairness in return.”

Read more about MPP workers here.

CWA members at Metal Powder Products (IUE-CWA Local 88502) held an informational picket outside the Campbellsburg, Ind., facility last week in protest of delay tactics and unfair labor practices by management.

CWA members working at the nonprofit Alabama Arise are celebrating having reached their first bargaining agreement with the company last month. The staff, represented by Alabama Arise Workers United (AAWU-CWA Local 3908), help individuals and organizations advance public policies to improve the lives of low-income, working-class Alabamians.

The agreement, which union members ratified unanimously, formalizes a strong foundation of mutual respect and solidarity between Arise leadership and AAWU-CWA members. It preserves longstanding workplace practices that support staff well-being and introduces key advancements that will enhance transparency and equity across the organization.

“This is what collective bargaining should look like,” said CWA District 3 Staff Representative Andrell Hubbard. “It’s about partnership, listening, and building workplaces where everyone can thrive. We’re excited about this model and what it means for movement organizations in the South.”

“We see this agreement as a continuation of our mission as an organization that works to build a better, more inclusive Alabama for all,” Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden said. “This contract protects so much of what makes Alabama Arise a great place to work, and it is one more way we’re walking the walk on the values we advocate for every day.”

Alabama Arise Executive Director Robyn Hyden (front row, right) joined CWA Local 3908 President Luther Land (front, left) for the signing of the first bargaining agreement between the company and Alabama Arise Workers United-CWA members. Also present were (back row, left to right) AAWU-CWA steward Juliette Thornton, Alabama Arise Co-Director Jacob Smith, AAWU-CWA member Predelane Harris, and Alabama Arise Finance and Operations Associate Malee Galloway.