wp-plugin-hostgator domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home4/scienrds/scienceandnerds/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114ol-scrapes domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home4/scienrds/scienceandnerds/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114Source: https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/4\/22\/23037874\/raven-software-qa-employees-union-election-activision-blizzard-nlrb<\/a> Twenty-one Raven Software QA employees have until May 20th to submit their ballots in a historic video game industry union vote. Today the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decreed that voting for the union would commence and that the voting unit would be composed of those 21 employees, against Activision Blizzard\u2019s argument that the voting unit should be opened to all Raven employees.<\/p>\n In a statement to The Verge<\/em>, Activision Blizzard spokesperson Rich George said:<\/p>\n While we respect the NLRB process, we are disappointed that a decision that could significantly impact the future of our entire studio will be made by fewer than 10% of our employees. We believe a direct relationship with team members is the best path to achieving individual and company goals. We are reviewing legal options regarding a potential appeal.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This is a watershed moment for these QA employees who started the journey toward unionization<\/a> back in December 2021. After a round of layoffs<\/a> hit the Activision Blizzard subsidiary studio, workers staged a walkout that became a sustained strike<\/a> lasting five weeks. At the end of the strike, workers formally organized the Game Workers Alliance<\/a>, the first union in one of North America\u2019s biggest game companies. <\/p>\n Since then, Activision Blizzard has worked to undermine these unionization efforts. Its dispersed Raven QA employees across separate teams and argued that the voting unit for the pending union election should be open to all Raven employees thereby reducing the chance for its success. It also converted over 1000 contract and temporary QA employees to full-time<\/a> and gave significant raises in pay \u2014 raises that were not extended to Raven QA employees<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are so proud to announce that the NLRB ruled that our unit is eligible for election!\u201d the Game Workers Alliance said in a tweet<\/a>. \u201cThank you to everyone supporting our campaign since our initial strike up until this very moment! Time for democracy!\u201d<\/p>\n We are so proud to announce that the NLRB ruled that our unit is eligible for election! Thank you to everyone supporting our campaign since our initial strike up until this very moment! Time for democracy! #WeAreRaven<\/a> #WeAreGWA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Game Workers Alliance #WeAreGWA (@WeAreGWA) April 22, 2022<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Once ballots are submitted by the deadline, the NLRB will tally the votes. A supermajority of the voting unit must vote in favor of the union for it to be officially recognized and bargaining can begin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are pleased that after reviewing the evidence, the National Labor Relations Board rejected Raven Software management\u2019s attempts to undermine our efforts to form a union,\u201d members of the Game Workers Alliance said in a statement Friday evening. \u201cIt\u2019s now time for Raven management to stop trying to prevent us from exercising our rights. We are looking forward to voting for \u2014 and winning \u2014 our union.\u201d<\/p>\n Microsoft is set to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal worth nearly $70 billion<\/a>, though that deal isn\u2019t expected to close until Microsoft\u2019s 2023 fiscal year, which begins in July. Activision Blizzard will report earnings on Monday, April 25th, though it will not<\/a> have a conference call or issue an earnings presentation.<\/p>\n
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