Microsoft Workers Form Company's First US Union

Microsoft recognized its first labor union in the U.S. after a super-majority of employees at ZeniMax Media, a Microsoft subsidiary, voted to unionize. 

For Context: Microsoft acquired ZeniMax for $7.5 billion in 2021. The firm created popular games such as Doom, Fallout, and Elder Scrolls. Microsoft said that it voluntarily recognizes the employees' legal right to choose to unionize. Companies like Apple and Amazon have been less favorable to worker unionization.

Key Quotes:  "We want to put an end to sudden periods of crunch, unfair pay, and lack of growth opportunities within the company. Our union will push for truly competitive pay, better communication between management and workers, a clear path for those that want to progress their career, and more," Victoria Banos, a senior quality assurance audio tester at ZeniMax stated in the Communications Workers of America release.  A spokesperson for Microsoft and ZeniMax said, “We look forward to engaging in good-faith negotiations as we work towards a collective bargaining agreement.”

How The Media Covered It: Left- and center-rated sources were more likely to report on the Microsoft unionization. Across the political spectrum, many pointed out that Microsoft was bucking the trend in Big Tech to make unionizing more difficult.