Unionization Surge After Private MD Ousting at Candy Crush Maker

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 employees to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union.

This move reflects a unique Swedish labor landscape. Union membership is widespread, encompassing roughly 70% of the workforce. While employees can join unions irrespective of company organization, forming a union club allows for collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) securing additional workplace benefits. This contrasts with the US system, where unionization often requires company-wide organization.

The catalyst for unionization at King's Stockholm studio was the abrupt removal of the popular company doctor, with only a week's notice. While a private health insurance plan replaced this benefit, employees felt the replacement lacked the personal touch and responsiveness of their previous healthcare provider. This sparked widespread discussion, highlighting the lack of employee bargaining power without a CBA.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, explained the shift in employee sentiment. Initially, union interest was minimal. However, the doctor's removal fueled a surge in membership, reaching 217 by the time of the interview. The group subsequently formed a union club in October 2024.

Microsoft's publicly stated neutral stance towards unions appears to be reflected in its interactions with the newly formed King union. While the lost doctor benefit is irretrievable, the union aims to secure a CBA to protect existing benefits and address other concerns. These include salary transparency, protection against reorganizations and layoffs, and improved communication about company decisions.

Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, emphasized the mutual benefit of unionization. It provides employees with a voice in workplace decisions, offering insights into daily operations that management might otherwise lack. Furthermore, the union serves as a resource for educating employees, particularly immigrant workers, about their rights.

For Falck and her colleagues, the union's formation, though initially a reaction to a negative change, is ultimately about preserving the positive aspects of their workplace culture and benefits. It's a proactive measure to safeguard their working environment and ensure a voice in its future.