In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office ignited a unionization drive. Microsoft, the new owner, eliminated a highly valued employee benefit: a private company doctor for employees and their families. This decision, communicated with only a week's notice, prompted widespread discontent among staff who had come to rely heavily on this resource.
This event catalyzed the formation of a union club at King's Stockholm location, involving over one hundred employees and the Unionen trade union. This action reflects Sweden's unique union landscape, where membership is common and legal protections are robust. While Swedish unions often negotiate sector-wide agreements, individual company-level collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) can secure additional benefits and workplace protections.
Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, highlighted the previously dormant union presence at King. The elimination of the private doctor benefit, however, galvanized employees, leading to a surge in union membership and the establishment of a union club in October 2024. The company's response has been described as neutral, aligning with Microsoft's publicly stated commitment to neutrality towards unionization efforts.
While regaining the lost doctor benefit is unlikely, the union aims to secure a CBA to protect existing benefits and address other concerns. These include salary transparency, protection against company restructuring and layoffs, and improved communication regarding company decisions. A key objective is to provide employees with a voice in shaping their workplace.
Timo Rybak, a Unionen organizer, emphasized the value of employee input in decision-making, highlighting the unique perspective that employees bring to the table. The union also serves as an educational resource, informing employees about their rights, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce at King.
For Falck and her colleagues, the unionization effort is not just about regaining lost benefits but about preserving the positive aspects of their work environment and company culture. It represents a proactive approach to safeguarding their future and ensuring a voice in shaping their workplace. [IGN contacted Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King for comment but received no response.]
