Organizing Update

Trevor Project

Today, employees at The Trevor Project, an organization that works to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people, announced that an overwhelming majority of them have signed cards indicating their desire to form a union with CWA. Their union, Friends of Trevor United/CWA (FTU/CWA), is seeking voluntary recognition from management in order to begin bargaining a fair contract that will create a formal grievance structure and safeguards around layoffs, raise workers’ pay, and grant access to best-in-class healthcare including gender-affirming services.

In their letter demanding recognition, FTU/CWA supporters say they believe that joining together in a union and moving forward in a constructive relationship through collective bargaining is consistent with the organization’s values. Workers shared their personal reasons for supporting the union on the FTU/CWA website.

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Activision Blizzard

CWA filed an unfair labor practice charge against Activision Blizzard on Tuesday for illegally firing two Quality Assurance testers in Minnesota after they used strong language to express their outrage about the company’s plan to end remote work and require employees to return to the office in-person. Workers have been protesting the RTO plan, citing cost of living concerns and the impact it would have on their co-workers who might be forced out of their jobs.

Prior to 2020, the use of outbursts and strong language by employees engaged in collective action to improve their working conditions was protected by the National Labor Relations Board. Under the Trump administration, the NLRB systematically rolled back workers' rights, including modifying the standard for determining whether employees have been lawfully disciplined or discharged after making such statements, which limited free speech rights for employees.

“For far too long, Activision has gotten away with treating its employees, especially QA testers, like disposable work horses. Firing two employees for joining with their co-workers to express concern around hasty return to office policies is retaliation, point blank,” said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. “When faced with unfair treatment by unscrupulous employers like Activision, workers should have the right to express themselves.”

Activision Blizzard workers at the company’s Raven Software and Blizzard Albany studios have joined CWA and are bargaining their first contracts. CWA has filed numerous unfair labor practice charges against Activision Blizzard to hold the company accountable for its illegal union-busting tactics.