Quality assurance workers at Raven Software, part of the Call of Duty development team, have successfully ratified their first union contract with Microsoft after nearly three years of organizing and negotiations.

The new contract guarantees a 10% wage increase over the next two years, along with additional merit-based raises, restrictions on mandatory overtime, layoff protections, and improved disability accommodations.

Key provisions of the agreement include the elimination of 'crunch time,' requiring managers to provide seven days' notice for mandatory overtime, and limiting excessive overtime to prevent back-to-back weeks of mandatory work.

Erin Hall, a QA tester and member of the bargaining committee, expressed pride in the contract, highlighting its focus on better pay, clearer career paths, and protections against burnout.

Another bargaining team member, Autumn Prazuch, emphasized the importance of sustainable career paths and the learning curve of negotiating with a major corporation.

CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton praised the contract as a significant victory for video game workers, setting new standards against exploitative practices like excessive overtime.

The successful negotiation has inspired other game workers to consider organizing, demonstrating that collective efforts can lead to substantial improvements in workplace conditions.

Despite this victory, challenges remain as the contract only covers QA testers, potentially leaving other employees without similar protections, and wage gains may not keep pace with inflation.

This union victory follows significant layoffs by Microsoft in July 2023, where 9,000 employees were let go as part of a shift towards AI technology.

The unionization effort began in early 2022, following layoffs and cultural issues at Activision Blizzard, Raven's parent company, and faced initial resistance.

The contract, supported by the Communications Workers of America union, includes wage increases, regulations on mandatory overtime, and established processes for promotions and layoffs.

Overall, the contract aims to protect QA workers from being treated as disposable staff and addresses issues of job security and career progression.