QA Union Reaches Tentative Deal with Microsoft Over Bethesda Games

More than 300 unionized quality assurance testers at ZeniMax Media – the studio behind franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Doom – have reached a tentative labor agreement with parent company Microsoft, marking their first contract since unionizing two years ago.

Landmark Agreement Covers Key Worker Protections

ZeniMax Workers United, organized under the Communications Workers of America (CWA), disclosed the deal includes significant wage increases, minimum salary guarantees, job security protections, formal grievance procedures, AI usage safeguards, and proper game crediting policies.

The agreement comes following Microsoft's $8.1 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media in 2021. The company oversees prominent studios including Bethesda Game Studios (Starfield, Fallout), id Software (Doom), and Arkane (Dishonored).

Workers Celebrate Hard-Won Victories

"Gaming dominates entertainment revenues, yet developers routinely face exploitation," said bargaining committee member Jessee Leese. "This contract proves collective action works – it's our invitation to industry peers to demand fair treatment."

The journey to this agreement saw multiple challenges. After unionizing in January 2023 under Microsoft's labor neutrality pledge, workers staged a November strike over stalled negotiations and alleged contracting violations. An April strike authorization vote reinforced demands regarding remote work protections and compensation.

The tentative agreement now awaits ratification through a membership vote concluding June 20. If approved, it will set new industry benchmarks for QA professionals across Microsoft's gaming studios.