Magic: The Gathering Arena developers intend to form a union with the CWA
Source: Engadget
Unionization Effort
Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast are set to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the union announced. The CWA says it has secured a supermajority among workers in favor of unionization for the chapter called United Wizards of the Coast (UWOTC‑CWA).
The CWA has filed for a formal election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB); the filing will be withdrawn if Hasbro voluntarily recognizes the union by May 1.
“At Wizards, we’re organizing for a say in layoffs, accountability that runs up and down the chain, and a living wage that actually lets people build a life,” said UWOTC‑CWA member and senior software engineer Damien Wilson.
“I’m hopeful about what we can build here and being clear‑eyed about why it’s necessary.”
Workers’ Concerns
- Protections over layoffs and remote‑work policies
- Guardrails for generative AI use
- Mandatory crunch time
- Increased transparency and equity in the workplace
“This isn’t just something that affects Wizards of the Coast; it’s how most American workplaces are set up,” Wilson added. “Unions are the missing counterweight to protect our craft.”
Background
The push to unionize was triggered in 2023 after mass Hasbro layoffs that affected nearly 2,000 workers, according to software engineers cited by Kotaku. Developers also expressed concerns that Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast decisions “have not aligned with the values of their employees,” particularly regarding remote work.
CWA Involvement in the Games Industry
The CWA has been active in recent unionization drives across the gaming sector, with workers from Blizzard, id Software, and indie developers such as Heart Machine joining. Over 4,000 workers have organized across the industry as part of the CWA’s CODE (Campaign to Organize Digital Employees).
“Every worker deserves job security, fair compensation, and a seat at the table,” said CWA District 7 VP Susie McAllister.