Microsoft, which subcontracts the quality assurance provider, has a standing labor neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America.

The Lionbridge layoffs come during a huge wave of layoffs across the video game industry, during which around 6,400 workers lost their jobs in 2023 and 2024, including 1,900 Activision Blizzard and Xbox employees in January.

The unfair labor practice charge filed Monday also alleges that Lionbridge offered workers severance agreements with terms that are illegal under the National Labor Relations Act. The press release said that these agreements included requirements “to agree to overly broad confidentiality terms,” which the National Labor Relations Board ruled unlawful last year.

“We do much the same work that union-represented Activision QA employees do, and Microsoft should make sure that everyone working on its games is treated with respect in line with its labor principles, including employees of contractors,” Bussabarger said in a statement.

    • whoisearth@lemmy.caEnglish
      3·
      8 days ago

      Honest answer is yes they do as do all of these major tech companies. The problem is QA is historically underresourced in most companies.

      • BCsven@lemmy.caEnglish
        3·
        8 days ago

        We were on Windows 10 for several years before microsoft issued the statement that Windows 10 is now stable and ready for server deployment. Some of their QA is now user end

  • FiveMacs@lemmy.caEnglish
    10·
    8 days ago

    More departments should start the unionization process then. Call their bluff. They gonna fire everyone or accept it.

    I’d love to see companies just fire every single employee and see how well they do.break the economy and break these companies in an effort to better the ones who actually make them what they are worth.

    Take the power back.