Developers at Microsoft-owned Doom studio id Software form union with CWA “to take back control of the industry we love”

Doom id Software employees have voted to create the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, recognized by Microsoft.

The decision follows Quality Assurance employees becoming the first group at Microsoft to form a union with CWA representation back in 2023. This means that id Software is now a unified union that includes developers, artists, programmers and more.

“The overall organizational work at id Software was very necessary; It is incredibly important that developers across the industry come together to oppose all of the unilateral workplace changes that are being introduced by industry leaders,” said CWA Local 6215 organizing committee member and id Software producer Andrew Willis.

“A union is a way for us developers to take back control of the industry we love and ensure it delivers high-quality products from highly skilled workers that have health and longevity benefits beyond quarterly profits.”

This representation means that Microsoft as a whole now has nearly 4,000 union-represented workers.

“I am very proud to be a part of our studio organization and have a say in decisions that directly affect me and my colleagues,” said CWA Local 6215 organizing committee member and id Software senior visual effects artist Caroline Pierrot.

“In an industry that has proven very volatile over the past few years, more unions mean more power for workers and a real chance to shape the future of the industry for the better.”

Additionally, members of the United Videogame Workers CWA demonstrated last night before The Game Awards in recognition of video game cancellations, studio closures and layoffs.

The video game workers union was formed earlier this year by the CWA as industry-wide union for video game workers in North America and Canada.

Back in May CWA signs new contract with ZeniMax Media employees at Microsoft which set “new standards for the industry.”