In early 2024, a significant change in employee benefits at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, implemented by new owner Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The removal of a highly valued on-site doctor, providing healthcare for employees and their families, sparked widespread discontent.
This led over one hundred employees at King's Stockholm location to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union, last fall. This group, now officially recognized by management, aims to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to protect their working conditions, policies, and benefits.
Swedish unions differ significantly from their U.S. counterparts. Membership is independent of company-level organization, resulting in approximately 70% union participation nationwide. Unions negotiate sector-wide agreements, while individual membership offers additional perks. However, establishing a union club and securing a CBA provides workplace-specific benefits and influence within company decision-making, mirroring U.S. union contracts. This mirrors a growing trend in the Swedish gaming industry, following similar actions at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.
Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King and a union board member, described the previously dormant union presence, with only a few members utilizing the company Slack channel dedicated to union discussions. The elimination of the popular on-site doctor, with only a week's notice, served as the catalyst for increased union activity. While replacement health insurance was offered, it lacked the personalized care and accessibility of the previous arrangement.
The incident prompted widespread discussion within the company, highlighting the lack of employee bargaining power without a CBA. This led to a surge in union membership, reaching 217 members. The group subsequently formalized their union club in October 2024. (Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King did not respond to requests for comment.)
While the lost doctor benefit is irretrievable, the union aims to negotiate a CBA to safeguard existing benefits and address other concerns, including salary transparency, protection against reorganizations and layoffs, and improved communication. Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, emphasized the value of employee input in workplace decisions, particularly for immigrant workers often unaware of their rights.
The union's efforts extend beyond benefits, focusing on education and information sharing regarding employee rights, empowering individuals and fostering collective advocacy. The unionization, initially a response to a negative change, has evolved into a proactive effort to protect King's culture and employee well-being.
