Private Doctor's Removal Triggers Union at Candy Crush Developer

In early 2024, a significant shift occurred at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office following its acquisition by Microsoft. An email was sent to employees announcing the termination of a highly valued company benefit—a private doctor service, which had been a lifeline for staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision sparked a notable response, inadvertently leading to the formation of a union effort among the employees.

Last fall, over one hundred employees at King's Stockholm location, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, joined Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union, forming a union club. This group has been officially recognized and is now in discussions with company management with the goal of securing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This agreement would outline their work environment, policies, and benefits moving forward.

In Sweden, the dynamics of unionization differ from those in the U.S. Approximately 70% of the workforce is part of a trade union, and these unions have a strong legal standing. Workers can join unions at any time, and these unions negotiate broadly on sector-wide issues like salaries and sick leave. However, forming a union club and securing a CBA at the company level provides additional, company-specific benefits and a voice in major company decisions. This approach has been adopted by other Swedish gaming companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King and a board member of the Unionen chapter, shared that union activity was minimal before 2024. A Slack channel for union discussions existed but was largely inactive, with only about nine or ten members. The turning point came in early January when the email about the doctor's benefit was sent. This doctor, reportedly selected by former CEO Bobby Kotick, was not only efficient and responsive but also played a crucial role in supporting employees' health and mental well-being during the pandemic.

The abrupt termination of this benefit, announced with only a week's notice post-acquisition by Microsoft, left employees scrambling for alternative healthcare solutions. The replacement offered—private health insurance—was deemed less personal and effective by Falck. This change ignited widespread discussion among the staff, leading to a surge in union interest. The union Slack channel quickly grew to 217 members, culminating in the formal establishment of a union club in October 2024.

Since its formation, the King union has engaged with Activision Blizzard's HR to establish communication protocols. Microsoft has maintained a neutral stance towards unions, consistent with its public commitments and reports from other unionized groups within the company.

While the private doctor benefit cannot be reinstated, Falck and her colleagues aim to negotiate a CBA to safeguard other valued benefits from similar abrupt changes. Key issues on their agenda include salary and information transparency, as well as protections around company reorganizations and layoffs. The overarching goal is to influence their workplace positively for all employees.

Timo Rybak, an organizer with Unionen Stockholm, emphasized the importance of unions in giving employees a voice in workplace decisions, which is crucial for understanding the daily work environment—a perspective often inaccessible to higher management. He also highlighted the role of unions in educating employees, particularly immigrant workers common in the game development and IT sectors, about their rights.

Falck noted that the union has already begun to benefit its members by sharing information about employee rights, which has been particularly helpful for European and American developers at King. The unionization effort, initially a reaction to an unpopular change, has evolved into a broader mission to protect the aspects of the job and company culture that employees cherish.

King's office in Stockholm, Sweden.