Activision Blizzard partners with Anti-Union firm
Last Updated on: 31st July 2021, 08:30 am
The fallout from the Activision Blizzard debacle has been nothing short of earth-shattering. There have been dozens of stories that have come out since the news broke that the company was being sued by the state of California. Many horror stories that range from uncomfortable to rage-inducing can be found, with more employees coming forward to voice their own experiences with Activision Blizzard’s “frat boy” work culture.
As employees rally together in walkouts and internal solidarity, the higher-ups at Activision Blizzard are attempting to rectify the situation by addressing it and making various promises. However, the most recent move from Activision Blizzard comes off as detrimental to an already delicate situation.
A letter from the top
Credit: Activision Blizzard
In a company-wide letter that tries to rectify the company’s original, disastrous statement on the matter, CEO Bobby Kotick speaks directly to his employees. In it, he admits fault in the original public statement and promises to do better going forward. The main thing of note in this letter is the revelation that noted anti-union firm WilmerHale is going to be reviewing the policies at Activision Blizzard, as well as hearing out any employees that have had similar disturbing experiences like those of the women in the lawsuit.
The presence of WilmerHale is troubling due to the current state of the situation, where employees feel emboldened and compelled to elicit further changes in the company. Being an anti-union firm, WilmerHale arriving to help at Activision Blizzard strikes many (including myself) as a maneuver by the company to squash any possibility of the formation of a Union.
The wording of Bobby Kotick’s letter paints WilmerHale as an independent third party that is coming in to evaluate the company’s methods and listen to any other grievances employees may have. However, given that this company has a partner that is directly associated with Amazon, a company that is virulently fighting to keep its employees from unionizing, it’s hard to say that lending an ear is all WilmerHale will do.
READ MORE: Destiny 2 developer speaks out against Activision Blizzard
A cold front or a warmer future?
Credit: Activision Blizzard
As previously mentioned, the Activision Blizzard debacle has spurned many into action, as the conditions of the workplace frustratingly look like others we’ve seen before. People are tired. I personally am incredibly tired of seeing an industry I love be complicit in the mistreatment of people who have a passion for the games we enjoy. The disgusting “bro-culture” that video games have had for decades has been in its death throes for a long time now. We need to let this die.
The best thing that is coming out of this whole situation is that more people are sick of the crap that companies keep trying to serve us. The initial whining response from Activision Blizzard is indicative of an industry that is struggling to get with the times and the fact that so many of its own employees and other employees are calling it out serves as a spark of hope for the future.
We need to do better because anyone should be able to enter this industry and be afforded the same kind of respect a man receives for doing the same. Let bro culture die in video games.
It’s time to grow up guys.
