In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, under new ownership by Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The elimination of a highly valued employee benefit – a private company doctor for employees and their families – galvanized over one hundred King employees to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union.
This action reflects the unique Swedish union landscape. Union membership is widespread (approximately 70% of the workforce), and the legal framework is generally supportive of unions. While national-level collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) set industry standards, individual company union clubs can negotiate additional workplace-specific benefits and have a voice in company decisions. This mirrors a growing trend in the Swedish gaming industry, with similar unionization efforts at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.
The catalyst for the King Stockholm union was the abrupt removal of the popular company doctor, with only a week's notice. While a private health insurance plan was offered as a replacement, employees felt it lacked the personalized care and responsiveness of the previous arrangement. This sparked widespread discussion and a surge in union interest, transforming a previously inactive Slack channel into a hub for over 200 members.
The union's formation has been met with a neutral response from Activision Blizzard HR, aligning with Microsoft's publicly stated neutral approach to unions. While regaining the lost company doctor benefit is unlikely, the union aims to secure a CBA to safeguard existing benefits and address other crucial issues. These include salary transparency, protection against company reorganizations and layoffs, and improved communication around these changes.
Kajsa Sima Falck, a King engineering manager and union board member, highlights the importance of employee influence and the educational aspect of unionization. Many international developers at King may be unaware of their full employee rights, and the union provides a platform to share this knowledge and empower employees to advocate for themselves. Ultimately, the union's goal is to preserve the positive aspects of King's work culture and benefits.
