Private Doctor's Removal Ignites Union at Candy Crush Developer

In early 2024, Activision Blizzard, now under Microsoft's ownership, sent an email to employees at its Stockholm office announcing the termination of a popular company benefit, inadvertently sparking a unionization effort. Over 100 employees at King, a mobile game developer, formed a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union, last fall. This group has been recognized and is currently negotiating with management to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to enhance their work environment and benefits.

In Sweden, union membership is unique, with around 70% of the workforce involved in trade unions, which can be joined at any time irrespective of company organization. These unions negotiate sector-wide conditions like salaries and sick leave, and individual memberships can offer additional benefits. However, forming a union club and securing a CBA allows employees to gain company-specific benefits and influence major decisions, a trend seen in Swedish gaming companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King in Stockholm and a board member of King Stockholm's Unionen chapter, explained that prior to 2024, union discussions were minimal, with only a small Slack channel dedicated to the topic. However, in early January, the announcement of the termination of a free, private doctor benefit—initially introduced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and rumored to be hand-picked by former CEO Bobby Kotick—triggered significant discontent. Employees were given only a week's notice to find alternative healthcare solutions, leading to widespread frustration.

King's office in Stockholm, Sweden.

The replacement private health insurance was deemed insufficient by employees, lacking the personal touch of the previous doctor. This led to a surge in union interest, with the Slack channel growing to 217 members. By October 2024, the group officially formed a union club and elected a union board at King Stockholm.

Since its formation, the union has engaged with Activision Blizzard HR to establish communication channels, receiving a neutral response in line with Swedish union laws and Microsoft's public commitment to neutrality towards unions. While the private doctor benefit cannot be reinstated, the union aims to protect other unique benefits through a CBA.

Falck emphasized the importance of negotiating changes and protecting existing benefits, which are significant not just within the gaming industry but in the broader Swedish corporate landscape. Other key issues include salary transparency, company reorganizations, and layoffs. The union's formation has also facilitated the sharing of information on employee rights, particularly valuable for the diverse workforce at King.

Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, highlighted the collaborative nature of Swedish unionization, where both employees and employers have a say in workplace matters. This approach is seen as beneficial, especially in industries like game development, which often employ a large number of immigrant workers who may be less aware of their rights.

Ultimately, the union at King Stockholm aims to safeguard the company's culture and benefits, ensuring a positive work environment for all employees.