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

In early 2024, a significant change in employee benefits at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, initiated by the new owner Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The elimination of a highly valued on-site doctor service for employees and their families prompted swift action.

IGN reports that over a hundred employees at King's Stockholm studio formed a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union, last fall. This group, now officially recognized by management, aims to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to protect their working conditions, policies, and benefits.

Swedish unionization differs from the U.S. model. Swedish workers can join a union regardless of company organization, resulting in approximately 70% union membership nationwide. Unions negotiate sector-wide conditions, while individual membership offers additional perks. However, forming a union club and securing a CBA provides workplace-specific benefits and a voice in company decisions. This follows a growing trend in the Swedish gaming industry, with similar actions at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

The catalyst for King Stockholm's unionization was the abrupt cancellation of a popular employee benefit: a private doctor service for employees and their families. This highly valued service, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, offered convenient and personalized healthcare. Its removal, with only a week's notice, sparked widespread discontent. While a private health insurance plan was offered as a replacement, employees found it inferior to the previous arrangement.

This event galvanized employees, leading to a surge in union interest. Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, highlights the lack of bargaining power without a CBA. The previously inactive union Slack channel rapidly gained members, reaching 217 by the time of the interview. In October 2024, the group officially voted to form a union club.

While Microsoft has publicly committed to a neutral stance toward unions, the King Stockholm union's initial interactions with Activision Blizzard HR have been described as neutral. The primary goal is not to reinstate the lost doctor service, but to secure a CBA that protects existing benefits and provides a voice in future changes. Key concerns include salary transparency, protection against reorganizations and layoffs, and maintaining a positive workplace culture.

Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, emphasizes the importance of employee input in company decisions. He notes that unionization allows employees to share their knowledge and experiences, contributing to better decision-making. The union also provides a platform for educating employees about their rights, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce at King.

The union's formation, initially a response to a negative change, has evolved into a proactive effort to safeguard employee well-being and the company culture. It aims to ensure that future decisions consider employee perspectives and protect valuable benefits.