Candy Crush Developer Unionization Triggered by Absence of Doctor

In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office ignited a unionization drive. Microsoft, the new owner, eliminated a popular employee benefit: a dedicated, on-site doctor for employees and their families. This decision, communicated with only a week's notice, prompted swift action.

Over a hundred employees at King's Stockholm location, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, subsequently formed a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union. This move follows a growing trend in the Swedish gaming industry, with similar unionization efforts at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Swedish unionization differs from the U.S. model. Membership is independent of company-level organization, resulting in a high union participation rate (approximately 70%). Unions negotiate industry-wide standards, while individual membership offers additional benefits. However, forming a union club and securing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) allows for company-specific negotiations impacting workplace policies, benefits, and even managerial decisions.

The catalyst for King Stockholm's unionization was the removal of the on-site doctor, a highly valued benefit. While employees were offered alternative health insurance, it lacked the personalized care and accessibility of the previous arrangement. This sparked widespread discussion and a surge in union interest. Previously inactive, the company Slack channel dedicated to union matters quickly grew from nine or ten members to over 200.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, highlighted the lack of bargaining power without a CBA. The swift removal of the doctor benefit underscored the need for collective action and negotiation. The union's formation followed months of planning and communication with Unionen, culminating in an October 2024 vote.

While regaining the lost doctor benefit is unlikely, the union aims to secure a CBA protecting existing benefits and addressing other concerns such as salary transparency, information sharing regarding company reorganizations and layoffs, and overall workplace influence. Unionen organizer Timo Rybak emphasized the importance of employee input in improving workplace conditions and ensuring awareness of employee rights, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce common in the gaming and IT sectors.

The union's impact extends beyond negotiations; it provides a platform for sharing information about employee rights, particularly valuable for international employees who may not be fully aware of their entitlements. The unionization effort, initially a response to a negative change, has evolved into a proactive measure to safeguard the company culture and employee well-being. The union seeks to protect what they value at King, fostering a positive and secure work environment. [Note: Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King did not respond to requests for comment.]