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

In early 2024, Activision Blizzard, now under Microsoft's ownership, sent an email to employees at its Stockholm office announcing the end of a popular company benefit, inadvertently sparking a unionization effort. Over one hundred employees at King’s Stockholm office formed a union club with Unionen, Sweden’s largest trade union, last fall. The group is now recognized and is in dialogue with company management, aiming to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to govern their work environment, policies, and benefits.

In Sweden, unions function differently than in the U.S. Eligible workers can join a trade union at any time, and about 70% of the population is involved in unions, according to Unionen's data. Swedish unions negotiate sector-wide conditions like salaries and sick leave, and individual membership can offer additional benefits. However, forming a union club and securing a CBA allows a group of employees to negotiate workplace-specific benefits and gain a voice in major company decisions. This trend is growing in the Swedish gaming industry, seen previously at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King Stockholm and a board member of their Unionen chapter, shared that before 2024, union activity at King was minimal, with only a small Slack channel dedicated to union discussions. However, in early January, employees received an email from management announcing the end of a unique benefit—a free, private doctor for employees and their families, which had been highly valued during the COVID-19 pandemic. This doctor, reportedly chosen by then-CEO Bobby Kotick, was known for her responsiveness and empathy. The abrupt decision to end this benefit, coupled with just a week's notice, left employees scrambling for alternative healthcare options.

The replacement private health insurance offered by the company was seen as inferior by Falck, who emphasized the personal touch of the former benefit. This change led to widespread discussion and dissatisfaction among employees, prompting a surge in union interest. The union Slack channel quickly grew to 217 members, and by October 2024, the group voted to form a union club with a union board at King Stockholm.

Since its formation, the union has engaged with Activision Blizzard's HR to establish communication protocols. Falck noted that the company's response has been neutral, aligning with Microsoft's public commitment to a neutral stance on unions. While it's too late to reinstate the private doctor benefit, the union aims to protect other cherished benefits through a future CBA.

Falck highlighted the importance of securing agreements to prevent unilateral changes by the company, particularly given the unique benefits offered by King and Microsoft. Other key issues for the union include salary transparency, information sharing, and protection during company reorganizations and layoffs. The overarching goal is to empower employees to influence their workplace positively.

Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, emphasized the mutual benefits of unionization, allowing employees to contribute insights from their daily work to company decision-making. He also pointed out that unionizing helps employees understand their rights, particularly important in the game development and IT sectors, which have many immigrant workers.

Falck noted that the union has already facilitated the sharing of information about employee rights, helping both European and American game developers at King to better advocate for themselves. The union effort, initially sparked by an unpopular change, aims to preserve the aspects of the job and company culture that employees value deeply.