The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and video game workers announced the launch of a new industry-wide union called United Videogame Workers (UVW) at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. UVW is open to all video game workers in the United States and Canada, including those laid off. UVW is based on a direct-join model, meaning anyone can join regardless of employment status.
This type of union does not have the same legal leverage as traditional unions, but it allows workers to organize outside of conventional legal frameworks. Emma Kinema, a CODE-CWA senior campaign lead, emphasized the need for this structure given the challenges posed by the current political administration and billionaire tech giants. She noted that many historical labor victories occurred outside standard legal frameworks.
UVW also aims to address the issue of layoffs in the gaming industry. The union plans to circulate a petition about layoffs at the GDC and provides a platform for all industry workers to join, even if they are currently unemployed.
United Videogame Workers launch
One of the nice things about a direct-join model is that neither the company nor the government can define or control union membership,” Kinema said. “We can define the union as broadly as we want. You belong in the union if you’re in and of the industry.
You deserve to have a voice in the movement.”
UVW is a structured union based on an honor system, with dues ranging from $15 USD to one percent of income. Similar unions inspire this approach in countries like the UK’s IWGB Game Workers union. Despite potential opposition from political figures and corporate leaders, Kinema believes this new union model can coexist and complement traditional certification-based unions.
“By no means do we think the direct-join and certification models are mutually exclusive. They can complement and expand upon each other,” she said. UVW represents a significant step in worker organization within the video game industry, providing an inclusive and flexible framework for all workers to join and advocate for better conditions and rights.
Rashan is a seasoned technology journalist and visionary leader serving as the Editor-in-Chief of DevX.com, a leading online publication focused on software development, programming languages, and emerging technologies. With his deep expertise in the tech industry and her passion for empowering developers, Rashan has transformed DevX.com into a vibrant hub of knowledge and innovation. Reach out to Rashan at [email protected]
