Raven Software quality assurance employees, developers of Call of Duty, have finalized their inaugural union contract with Microsoft three years after forming their labor organization.
The union outlined key improvements in their announcement: a mandatory 10% salary boost across two years supplemented by performance-based raises, stricter overtime regulations, enhanced job security, improved disability support, and other workplace benefits.
"Three years of persistent organizing culminated in this groundbreaking achievement," stated bargaining committee member and QA specialist Erin Hall. "We prioritized collective input from the beginning - this agreement delivers competitive wages, clear advancement opportunities, and safeguards against overwork. It genuinely recognizes QA's critical contributions. Our success demonstrates organizing's power for all game industry professionals."
The path to this contract originated from December 2021 layoffs during Activision Blizzard's restructuring. Subsequent employee walkouts gained cross-company solidarity, with sustained protests prompting corporate response weeks later. Microsoft's acquisition coincided with Raven QA officially establishing Activision Blizzard's first union in January 2022, later winning formal recognition that May despite initial corporate resistance.
This milestone inspired Microsoft Xbox divisions - including Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax studios - to pursue collective bargaining. Following ZeniMax Media's QA contract agreement last May, numerous teams continue negotiating improved terms.
