In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, under new ownership by Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The removal of a highly valued employee benefit – a private company doctor – prompted over one hundred employees at King's Stockholm location to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union. This action reflects a growing trend within the Swedish gaming industry, following similar moves at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.
Swedish unionization differs significantly from the U.S. model. Membership is readily available to eligible workers regardless of company-level organization, resulting in approximately 70% union participation nationwide. Unions negotiate sector-wide agreements on issues like salaries and sick leave, while individual membership offers additional benefits. However, forming a union club and securing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provides workplace-specific advantages, including a stronger voice in company decisions.
The catalyst for King Stockholm's unionization was the abrupt cancellation of the private doctor benefit, providing employees with only one week's notice. While a replacement health insurance plan was offered, it lacked the personalized care and accessibility of the previous arrangement. This sparked widespread discontent and galvanized employees to revitalize their dormant union Slack channel, which quickly grew from a handful of members to over 200.
Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, highlighted the lack of bargaining power without a CBA. The incident underscored the need for a collective voice to negotiate and protect employee benefits. While regaining the lost benefit is unlikely, the union aims to secure a CBA to safeguard existing advantages and ensure employee input on future changes.
Microsoft's publicly stated neutral stance toward unions appears to be reflected in its interactions with the King Stockholm union. The union's priorities include salary negotiations, improved information transparency, protection against layoffs, and a greater influence on workplace decisions. Furthermore, the union serves as a valuable resource for educating employees, particularly immigrant workers, about their rights and entitlements.
The unionization effort at King Stockholm, initially a response to a perceived injustice, has evolved into a proactive measure to preserve the company culture and benefits valued by its employees. It underscores the importance of collective bargaining in protecting employee rights and fostering a more equitable work environment.
