Bethesda Game Studios Montreal recently filed an application for certification with the Quebec Labor Board, becoming the latest studio to form a union in the video game industry.
In a series of posts on Bethesda Game Studios Montrealcalled One BGS MTL, revealed that it has begun the unionization process with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Canada.As a union, we will strive to make BGS a workplace that supports creativity and talent.“One BGS MTL stated.This will allow us to continue creating some of the best video games in the industry.”.
“We, the developers of Bethesda Game Studios Montrealwe are proud to announce that today we celebrated the presentation of certification to the Quebec Labour Board with the intention of unionizing with CWA and joining the family”.
Bethesda Game Studios Montreal is not the only study of ZeniMax Media which has been unionized. By the end of 2022, approximately 300 quality control workers in ZeniMax announced the formation of a union with the CWA. This announcement adds to a growing trend in the video game industry, which has seen an increase in the formation of new unions in recent years.
In addition to Bethesda Game Studios Montrealother recently formed unions include Activision Quality Assurance United, the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS) and Avalanche Studiosthe franchise developer Just Cause. Avalanche Studios signed a collective bargaining agreement with its unionized workers last April.
Unionization in the industry has gained traction at a time when 2023 and 2024 have seen massive layoffs. At the start of 2024, more than 6,000 jobs were affected in the first two months of the year. In particular, Microsoftthe parent company of Bethesdarecently announced the closure of three studios Bethesda Softworksincluding Arkane Austin developer of Redfall and Prey, and Tango Gameworksdeveloper of HiFi Rush and The Evil Within.
