Wizards of the Coast declines to voluntarily recognize Magic Arena union by May 1st deadline

Wizards of the Coast has not voluntarily recognized a new union being formed by Magic: The Gathering Arena employees. A post on United Wizards of the Coast's webpage states that the company has not voluntarily recognized the union by the May 1st deadline put forth by the union when it announced its attempt to form. Per the post, Wizards has had no contact with union representatives at all, with their only statement about the planned filing being released to media sources instead.

Developers tied to Magic Arena announced last week that they were forming a union, citing a need to protect workers from layoffs, guardrails over generative AI usage and crunch time, and protections for remote work. This union is limited to Magic Arena developers only and does not encompass other areas at Wizards of the Coast.

As Wizards has not chosen to voluntarily recognize the union, the next step would be an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), in which all qualifying employees can choose to vote on whether or not to form a union. Per the United Wizards of the Coast's page, the group's voluntary recognition letter contained a super-majority of the Arena team, meaning they would have the votes to create the union as long as their membership holds firm. The union organizers state that they expect the election to be held within the coming weeks.

 

[Azzy]

Could we start a petition requiring WotC to accept the unionization?

 

[Umbran]

People support Wizards either knowing it, or willfully denying it.

Mod note:

If you try to turn this into opportunities to take jabs at your fellow users, you can expect to be particularly displeased with the consequences.

Treat people well. Thanks.

 

[MGibster]

One important thing to keep in mind, especially when a union is forming; it's generally best to not engage in a boycott of the corporation in question unless and until the union itself calls for one.

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of castigating a company for following the rules. Like it or not, management is well within their rights to wait for an NLRB election to determine whether there's even a union to recognize. Unless and until WotC behaves in illegal anti-union activity, I'm not going to be angry at them.

Keep in mind that workers attempting to form a union have some protections on the federal level and possibly even the state level. For example, it's illegal to fire or threaten someone with other adverse reactions for activities related to forming a union. The company can't stop employees from talking about a union but can limit such talk to break time, lunch, or other non-working periods of time. It used to be that companies could mandate meetings where the company presented employees with anti-union messages, but they're barred from making those meeings mandatory now.

I've never worked in a union environment before. If I did, I wouldn't be allowed to join because I represent management and there's a clear conflict of interest. I did ask my boss how she liked working in a union environment, and she said, "It's great. Everyone knows what they're supposed to do," referring to written policies both management and employees followed.

 

[Umbran]

Could we start a petition requiring WotC to accept the unionization?

If you explore the articles, you will find the CWA already has one.

Tell Wizards of the Coast to Recognize Our Union!

The workers at Magic The Gathering: Arena have voted overwhelmingly to form the union: United Wizards of the Coast - CWA (UWOTC)! We are asking Wizards and Hasbro management to voluntarily recognize our union by International Workers’ Day (also known as May Day), May 1st, 2026. You can...

actionnetwork.org

 

[Azzy]

If you explore the articles, you will find the CWA already has one.

Tell Wizards of the Coast to Recognize Our Union!

The workers at Magic The Gathering: Arena have voted overwhelmingly to form the union: United Wizards of the Coast - CWA (UWOTC)! We are asking Wizards and Hasbro management to voluntarily recognize our union by International Workers’ Day (also known as May Day), May 1st, 2026. You can...

actionnetwork.org

Thanks for that, I only skimmed the article.

 

[Desdichado]

This isn't the same group of Magic guys involved in all of the art plagiarism scandals, is it? I've never been into Magic so I don't know what the business units are.

 

[ProfessorDetective]

Well, good thing I haven't actually spent anything on Wizards products since the OGL Incident. I won't have to do much, if they call for a boycott.

 

[Incenjucar]

Well, good thing I haven't actually spent anything on Wizards products since the OGL Incident. I won't have to do much, if they call for a boycott.

While I'm in the same position, perhaps another framing is in order. I would be very happy if Hasbro and WotC would turn their behavior around and be the rare relatively ethical company so I could throw money at them again. Edition preferences aside, I love D&D, M:TG has its place, and hey I was an 80s kid and have disposable income. If they would open their hearts to being an example of a truly good company I'd be happy to open my wallet again.

 

[Espadadelaaurora]

Attachment failed, removed by mod

 

[Charlaquin]

Could we start a petition requiring WotC to accept the unionization?

That petition has been going around since before the deadline, man.