Magic: The Gathering Arena employees votes for union, a first for Wizards of the Coast

United Wizards of the Coast has announced that employees of the Magic: The Gathering Arena division have elected to form a union at Wizards of the Coast. Of 102 eligible voters, 79 voted for the union and 16 voted against.

The announcement brings a formal end to a multi-month process, which began when developers of the popular Magic: The Gathering app declared that they were forming a union over concerns about pay, return to office work, mandatory crunch time, and other workplace issues. The union will now negotiate with Wizards of the Coast towards a collective bargaining agreement.

Wizards, for their part, announced that they had accepted the results of the election. Their statement reads: "The Magic: The Gathering Arena team within Wizards of the Coast has voted to be represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and we respect and support them in that decision. We now look ahead to working with the CWA in good faith and transparency as we enter the bargaining process. At Wizards, our commitment to building a culture where our people feel respected and valued and can continue to make incredible games and experiences for our players is unwavering."

Wizards was criticized at several points during the formation of the union, in particular for hiring an anti-union law firm to represent them, declining to voluntarily recognize the union, and deadnaming trans employees during the voting process.

While the new union only represents developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena, this marks the first union to form among Wizards employees.

 

[Alzrius]

Viva la union! Now we'll hopefully see it expand to cover other WotC employees!

 

[timbannock]

Generally you can't talk about pay, etc during on duty, working hours unless you can prove non-work conversations are allowed.

Locally or nationally? Are we talking law or specific company policy?

 

[MGibster]

Locally or nationally? Are we talking law or specific company policy?

Discussing work conditions is protected under federal law. The company can restrict speech during working hours, but they cannot stop you from discussing these things on your own time. i.e. lunch, breaks, etc, etc.

 

[bedir than]

Locally or nationally? Are we talking law or specific company policy?

There's certainly not a Renton, nor Washington law against talking about working conditions.

 

[Umbran]

For those who understand the process - will there be any visibility to outsiders as to the sorts of things the union is able to achieve int he negotiations, or will all of that remain confidential?

I imagine the union will release statements on behalf of their employees if they so desire and WotC will release statements on behalf of the company. If WotC and the union have a good working relationship, you'll likely see statements from both of them about coming to a mutually satisfactory agreement that's good for everyone including their customers.

I would not, however, expect direct discussion of contract terms with the public.

While unionizing in general is news, as customers, some things aren't our business.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Nerds of the world unite!

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

So wild to me to have such a small union.

Are thought that they became members of the CWA. So aren’t they a chapter of a much larger organization?

Yes, I just checked - 700,000 members (for the CWA)

 

[Stormonu]

Let's see how long before Arena becomes "unprofitable" and gets shut down.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I wonder, can other WotC employees join this union?

 

[Seramus]

Locally or nationally? Are we talking law or specific company policy?

A mix of both!

If your company has a general policy against non-work related conversations during work hours, then that includes discussing pay. But it has to be a general policy against all non-work conversations, not a specific policy against pay discussions only.

Most companies DO have such a policy against general non-work related conversations during work hours, and simply don't enforce them very hard (or it goes no further than your manager giving you the stink eye for talking instead of working).

Of course, you are fully protected and free to speak about pay, etc during breaks, lunches, etc.

If your company allows non-work conversations during paid work hours (and you are on-duty, working), then you CAN talk about pay, etc during work hours.