Sega Reaches Agreement With AEGIS Union In Major Win For The Games Development Industry
They're getting increased pay, better protections, and more credit.
Sega of America and the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS) union have reached an agreement.
The ratified collective bargaining contract brings forth a range of benefits and protections for unionized employees across various divisions of the company, including game design, translation, and marketing. Among these are base pay increases for all union members, protections against unjust discipline and termination, safeguards against layoffs along with severance packages, and a commitment to crediting all staffers who contributed to a game's development (including early QA testers).
Also included are various codified benefits such as an annual bonus plan, retirement plans, and health insurance coverage. Management even committed to providing advanced notice to employees regarding the planned use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
Communications Workers of America (CWA) 9510 President Peter O'Brien said: "Workers in the video game industry have contributed to the success of multiple games and companies that have become household names. Yet, that hasn't translated into the fair wages, job stability, or career trajectories they deserve. Workers at Sega of America have just shown what is possible by standing together to demand the respect their hard work has earned."
This marks the first major union contract in the game development industry, at least in the United States. AEGIS, in partnership with the CWA, represents a group of about 150 full-time and contract workers at Sega of America who unionized in July 2023.
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About the Author
Matthew “dinofries” D'Onofrio is a writer, content creator, podcaster and — most importantly — a gamer. With such a strong passion for video games and a severe case of FOMO, it's no surprise he always has his finger on the pulse of the gaming world. On the rare occasion Matt's away from a screen, you'll find him strumming away on his acoustic guitar or taking care of his cat Totoro.
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