Update 16:30 BST:Blizzard responded to TheGamer, denying the allegations put forward by the NLRB and CWA, saying they “have no merit.” A statement goes on to say that chat features were removed from a work meeting in order to “protect people from toxic workplace behavior”. It also denies spying, saying that security was hired for the organised walkout to “ensure a safe environment.”
Activision Blizzardspied on its workforce, according to the National Labour Relations Board. This comes after a months-long investigation, following a complaint from a union that the company was interfering with the worker’s right to organise.
This alleged surveillance took place when workerswalked out last year, urging management to issue a response to the overturning of Roe v Wadeasother companies had already. Instead, higher-ups were said to get other workers to monitor those organising the walkout, a claim Activision Blizzard has denied. Now, the company could face prosecution, as these actions would breach labour laws.
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The NLRB, however, says it has “found merit with several elements of the unfair labor practice charges filed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA),” as reported byReuters. It will be moving forward with the complaint as a result.
Activision Blizzard now has the option to settle the charges, or face prosecution. So far, the company has labelled the claims “false”, and shows no sign of accepting the results of the NLRB investigation.
On top of the complaint of illegal surveillance, the NLRB also said it found merit in claims that management threatened to shut down communication channels in an effort to halt organisation efforts. The only charge that the NLRB won’t be pursuing is the claim that the company breached labour law by actually shutting down a text chat during an all-hands meeting, as this was said to veer off-topic from labour rights, and onto the issue ofDiablo Immortalinstead.
The CWA union has described this development as a “huge victory”, accusing Activision Blizzard of union busting.
Microsoft, who is hoping to acquire the company, has not commented on the matter publicly.
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