How the Removal of a Private Doctor Sparked a Union at the Developer of Candy Crush

In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, under new ownership by Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The removal of a highly valued employee benefit – a private family doctor – prompted over one hundred employees at King's Stockholm location to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union.

Swedish unionization differs significantly from the U.S. model. Membership is independent of company-level organization, resulting in approximately 70% national union participation. Unions negotiate sector-wide benefits, while individual membership offers additional perks. However, forming a union club and securing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provides workplace-specific benefits and influence within company management, a trend already established at Swedish gaming companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, highlighted the pivotal role of the rescinded doctor benefit. Initially a pandemic-era perk, its sudden removal, with only a week's notice, caused widespread discontent. While a private health insurance replacement was offered, it lacked the personal touch and responsiveness of the previous arrangement. This sparked unprecedented employee discussion, revealing a lack of bargaining power without a CBA.

The ensuing surge in union interest rapidly increased membership in the company's Slack channel, culminating in the October 2024 formation of the King Stockholm union club. While Microsoft's publicly stated neutral stance towards unions appears to be holding, the union aims to secure a CBA to protect existing benefits and address future concerns.

Key issues for negotiation include salary transparency, protection against company reorganizations and layoffs, and improved information sharing. The union also emphasizes employee empowerment and education, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce at King. The initiative, born from a negative experience, now focuses on preserving King's positive work culture and employee benefits. Union organizer Timo Rybak underscores the mutual benefit of collaboration, emphasizing the unique insights employees bring to workplace discussions. The union's formation is not just about regaining lost benefits, but about securing a voice in shaping the future of their workplace.