Blizzard Workers Ratify First Union Contracts

Nearly 1,900 union-represented employees at Blizzard Entertainment have ratified their first collective bargaining agreements, concluding more than two years of negotiations. The landmark contracts introduce significant protections for workers regarding artificial intelligence, layoffs, and employment terms. The agreements, which cover multiple Blizzard teams organized into three bargaining units, establish that the company must bargain with staff over the use of generative AI in game development if it materially impacts union work. This provision aims to ensure that AI implementations are subject to appropriate human control, review for accuracy and quality, and that workers have a voice in how these technologies are integrated into the development process. Layoff protections are a central component of the new contracts. Employees who are laid off will receive additional severance pay, calculated as one week for every six months worked, along with a 60-day notice period or pay in lieu.