Ahead of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's launch next week, unionised Activision testers have voted to authorise a strike
Activision QA workers have voted to authorise a strike after two years of stalled negotiations over wages, protections, and AI concerns ahead of *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4*'s launch.
Quality assurance testers at Activision, represented by the union Activision Quality Assurance United-CWA, have voted to authorise a strike following nearly two years of unsuccessful contract negotiations. The union, formed in March 2024 and comprising nearly 600 members, cites unresolved issues including wages, accommodations, and worker protections as key sticking points. Emily Danko, a bargaining committee member and QA tester, stated that despite efforts to negotiate in good faith, meaningful progress has been difficult to achieve.
The union’s concerns extend to protections against AI usage and the treatment of contract workers, which remain unaddressed in ongoing talks. Activision has acknowledged the negotiations, stating it has made progress on several issues and offered to meet again on October 21 and 22. The company emphasised its commitment to reaching a fair first contract while respecting employees’ right to strike.
The strike authorisation coincides with the upcoming launch of *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4*, a title developed under conditions the testers describe as unfair. One tester highlighted the irony of being required to work daily on the game while lacking fair pay, accommodations, or protections against layoffs. The worker criticised Activision’s repeated delays and unrealistic counteroffers during negotiations.
The vote to strike also follows recent layoffs at Xbox, adding pressure to the union’s demands. The testers’ push for fair treatment reflects broader labour concerns in the gaming industry, with workers emphasising the need for meaningful resolutions to longstanding issues that have persisted for over two years.