In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, under new ownership by Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The removal of a highly valued employee benefit – a private company doctor for employees and their families – prompted over one hundred employees at King's Stockholm studio to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union.
Swedish unionization differs from the U.S. model. Membership is independent of company-level organization, resulting in approximately 70% national union participation. Unions negotiate sector-wide benefits, while individual membership offers additional perks. However, forming a union club and securing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provides workplace-specific benefits and influence on company decisions. This mirrors a growing trend in the Swedish games industry.
Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, explained that prior to the benefit cut, union activity was minimal. The company doctor, a highly valued resource, was abruptly removed with only a week's notice, prompting widespread discontent. While replacement health insurance was offered, it lacked the personalized care of the previous arrangement.
This event galvanized employees, leading to a surge in union membership. The previously inactive union Slack channel rapidly gained members, culminating in the formation of a union club in October 2024. While Microsoft has publicly committed to a neutral stance on unions, the company has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The union's immediate goal isn't to reinstate the lost benefit, but to secure a CBA protecting existing benefits and addressing concerns such as salary transparency, information sharing around reorganizations and layoffs, and overall workplace influence. Unionen organizer Timo Rybak highlighted the importance of employee input in company decision-making, particularly beneficial in a diverse workforce.
The union also serves as an educational resource, informing employees about their rights, especially valuable for international workers who may be unfamiliar with Swedish labor laws. Ultimately, the union aims to safeguard King's culture and employee benefits.
