In what
The Washington Post calls a step "closer to unionizing,"
ABetterABK
twitter announces a strike fund to support
the
work stoppage against Activision Blizzard. The tweet announces a strike:
"Today, the ABK Worker's Alliance announces the initiation of its strike. We
encourage our peers in the Game Industry to stand with us in creating lasting
change. For those who wish to join in solidarity, please consider donating to
our Strike Fund." There's a link to this
ABK Strike Fund on GoFundMe
which includes an explanation of its purpose: "Funds raised from this donation
effort will contribute to offsetting wages lost from the work stoppage, as well
as to assist in the potential relocation of Raven Software workers who were
forced to move without financial assistance at the insistence of Activision
Blizzard." It also includes an explanation of all that's led to the point of a
strike:
In June 2021, an article was published which highlighted the
abuse, harassment and discrimination that occurred within Activision-Blizzard's
offices. Since then, Activision-Blizzard leaders have continually abused,
union-busted, and remained apathetic to the wishes of workers.
In the months since, we've seen CEO Bobby Kotick and the Board of Directors
protect abusers and only hold perpetrators accountable after the events were
brought to light by outside media. We've seen Activision hire law firm
WilmerHale, known for union busting, to disrupt and impede the improvement
efforts of Activision-Blizzard workers. We've seen Raven Software workers lured
by the promise of promotion, only to be terminated shortly after relocation on
top of the already underappreciated and severely underpaid working conditions of
ABK workers across the company. These, and many other events have caused an
alliance of Activision-Blizzard employees to initiate a work stoppage until
demands are met and worker representation is finally given a place within the
company.
After everything, the Board of Directors still claims to remain confident in
Kotick's unfit and unproductive leadership. The Board of Directors includes:
Reveta Bowers, Robert Corti, Hendrik Hartong III, Brian Kelly, Bobby Kotick,
Barry Meyer, Robert Morgado, Peter Nolan, Dawn Ostroff, Casey Wasserman.