#unionization

#unionization

Developers at independent studio ZA/UM, the team behind the critically acclaimed RPG Disco Elysium, have formed a union that was recognized by the United Kingdom's games industry, marking a first in the country. In an October 2 blog post on the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) Game Workers website, chairperson Spring McParlin-Jones and organizing officer Eugenia Peruzzo expressed excitement about this development. It's a big deal, after all, particularly because ZA/UM's recognized union could provide hope for other developers in the UK looking to gain collective power.

The union campaign began in March when Gulino contacted organizers with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324, which represents Disney theme park retail workers. An Anaheim Resort district minimum wage law also served as a catalyst. After a lengthy court battle, the Walt Disney Co. began complying with the law two years ago and agreed to a $233-million settlement in the class-action case that an Orange County judge recently approved. The measure covers not only theme park workers, but also Downtown Disney retailers.

A self-described "MAGA former dancer" is now leading the Kennedy Center's dance programming, and he's inherited a series decimated by local boycotts, according to ticket sales data reviewed by Washingtonian . Stephen Nakagawa, who until earlier this year was a company member at the Washington Ballet, replaces Jane Rabinowitz Raleigh, a veteran local arts administrator who was fired August 21 by Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell.

Newsom called it an "historic agreement between workers and business that only California could deliver."

More than 450 game developers on Blizzard's team have formed a union, making them one of the largest and latest groups of Microsoft workers to do so. The new union includes game developers, artists, designers, engineers, and support staff across the Diablo franchise, according to the Communications Workers of America (CWA) press release, which voted "strongly in favor" to be represented by the CWA. The Diablo team is seeking to improve compensation, job security, and workplace conditions under its Microsoft parent company.

"As the organization grows, we are unionizing across newsrooms and teams to ensure our mission and vision align with employees' realities," the Signal Ohio News Workers Guild wrote in a statement signed by 15 union-eligible staffers. The journalists said their priorities for unionization include "transparent, equitable and sustainable pay," including cost-of-living raises; hiring practices that reflect Signal's "founding ethos of being accountable to our communities"; professional development; and a say in newsroom policies, including the use of artificial intelligence.

Employees at the Brighton Soldiers Field location voted unanimously 9-0 Wednesday to join Starbucks Workers United, aiming for workplace protections, living wages, and fair scheduling.

The B.C. Labour Relations Board found that Amazon engaged in unfair labour practices that interfered with the unionization process, leading to union certification.

A Tesla driver suffered minor injuries Thursday after a crash that resulted in the vehicle dangling over a 200-foot cliff at Devil's Slide in San Mateo County.

"Build trust before going public." - This advice emphasizes the importance of establishing a foundation of confidence among potential union members before making their intentions known.

The recent layoffs at Microsoft emphasize a shift in corporate strategy aimed at increasing operational efficiency and agility, impacting hundreds of employees across various departments.

"We will picket, shout, bargain, petition, and strike again, and again, and again until the nurses win the first contract!" - Terry Mogilles

"We are very pleased to announce that we are to completely renovate our Park Slope bookstore. The store first opened in 1997 and we are a little overdue for a refresh!"

"The picture that we get with smokestack nostalgia is that these were good, solid jobs that people had for generations... that forgets that it was union activity that secured those [wages]."

The pressure to review thousands of horrific videos each day - beheadings, child abuse, torture - takes a devastating toll on our mental health, but it's not the only source of strain. Precarious contracts and constant surveillance at work add more stress.

DeepMind employees express frustration over the company's decision to retract its pledge against using AI in weapons or surveillance, leading to a push for unionization.

"We don't see any kind of path through the NLRB at present," said George Elkind, a Ph.D. student. This strike reflects ongoing labor agitation post-Trump's election.