Charges Filed Against Activision After Two QA Testers Were Fired

Charges have been filed against Activision by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). More specifically, CEO Bobby Kotick himself. The union claims the major video game publisher violated multiple workplace laws.

Recently, Activision began forcing workers to come back into the office after being able to work remotely for some time now. According to Kotaku, the CWA said, “numerous workers protested” due to cost of living concerns and “the impact it would have on their co-workers who might be forced out of their jobs.” This led to two QA testers being fired on February 17 after they “expressed their outrage using strong language.”

The union is arguing that the employees’ conduct used to be protected by the National Labor Relations Board before 2020 when the Trump administration “systematically rolled back workers’ rights. That being, “modifying the standard for determining whether employees have been lawfully disciplined or discharged after making offensive statements, which ultimately limits free speech rights for employees.”

“For far too long, Activision has gotten away with treating its employees, especially QA testers, like disposable work horses,” CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens said. The charges allege that the firings were made in “retaliation,” and that Activision did not allow a co-worker to sit in during the disciplinary meeting that occurred before termination. “When faced with unfair treatment by unscrupulous employers like Activision, workers should have the right to express themselves.”

However, the publisher disagrees with the claims. Spokesperson Joseph Christinat said, “We don’t allow employees to use profane or abusive language against each other.” He added, “We’re disappointed the CWA advocates this type of behavior.”