Workers at Sega have voted to form a union called the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA). The vote, which took place in a union representation election with the National Labor Relations Board, resulted in a 91-26 majority in favor of the union. The unit consists of more than 200 workers from various departments within Sega, including brand marketing, games as a service, localization, marketing services, product development, sales, and quality assurance teams. While this may not be the first union in the gaming industry, the workers claim that it is the largest multi-department union of organized workers in the entire industry.
AEGIS-CWA has outlined several key goals that they plan to pursue. These include fighting for improved base pay and benefits, advocating for more staff to reduce overwork patterns, and striving for more balanced workloads. The workers are also seeking remote work options, clear job responsibilities for each role, and other improvements to their working conditions.
However, Sega has declined to voluntarily recognize the union. The management has been accused of engaging with known union-busters and spreading misinformation, fear, and division among the workers. Winry Ramsey, a QA tester and AEGIS-CWA member, criticized Sega’s actions, stating that they are undermining the workers’ unionization drive. As a result, Sega will now have to enter into negotiations with AEGIS-CWA to establish a union contract.
The workers at Sega are ecstatic about the union election win and what it means for their future. Ángel Gómez, a Sega translator and AEGIS-CWA member, expressed their joy and stated that they are committed to protecting the aspects of their jobs that they love. They believe that through their union, they can enhance benefits, pay, and job stability for all workers at Sega. Additionally, they hope that their victory will serve as inspiration to workers in the gaming industry, fostering the belief that together, their collective efforts can raise industry standards for all workers.
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This move by Sega employees to unionize reflects a growing trend in the games industry. In recent years, there have been several high-profile instances of workers forming unions at other companies. One notable example is the ZeniMax Workers United/CWA, which includes employees at ZeniMax Studios. Such unionization efforts demonstrate a desire among workers to have a more significant say in their working conditions and to advocate for fair treatment and improved rights within the industry.
The formation of AEGIS-CWA also highlights the challenges faced by workers in the gaming industry. Issues such as long work hours, job instability, and lack of representation have been ongoing concerns. By joining together, the workers at Sega aim to bring attention to these issues and work towards creating a more supportive and equitable industry.
While there is still work to be done, the formation of AEGIS-CWA marks an important step towards empowering workers at Sega. The union will provide them with a stronger voice, enabling them to negotiate for better wages, improved working conditions, and a more secure future. It also sends a message to other companies in the gaming industry that workers are demanding change and are willing to take collective action to achieve it.
Overall, the formation of AEGIS-CWA at Sega demonstrates the growing movement towards unionization in the gaming industry. It underscores the desire among workers to address longstanding issues and improve their working conditions. The union’s priorities of fair pay, better benefits, and more manageable workloads reflect the concerns shared by many workers in the industry. As workers continue to organize and advocate for change, it is hopeful that the gaming industry will become a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
