Candy Crush Developer Faces Unionization After Doctor's Dismissal

In early 2024, a seemingly small change at Activision Blizzard’s Stockholm office—the removal of a popular employee benefit—unexpectedly ignited a powerful unionization effort. Microsoft, Activision Blizzard’s new owner, eliminated a highly valued perk: a dedicated private doctor for employees and their families. This decision, communicated with only a week's notice, prompted widespread discontent among staff who had grown accustomed to this valuable resource, particularly its personalized care and support, especially during the pandemic.

IGN learned that this event catalyzed the formation of a union club at King’s Stockholm location last fall. Over one hundred employees joined Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union, sparking a movement to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Unlike in the U.S., Swedish union membership is common, with approximately 70% of the workforce participating. Unions negotiate sector-wide benefits, but forming a company-specific union club allows for negotiating additional workplace-specific benefits via a CBA. This approach, already adopted by companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios, grants employees a stronger voice in company decisions.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King and a board member of the newly formed Unionen chapter, described the pre-2024 situation as relatively quiet regarding union activity. A company Slack channel dedicated to union discussions saw minimal use, with only a handful of members. However, the removal of the private doctor benefit dramatically changed the landscape. The ensuing discussion in the general Slack channel highlighted the lack of employee bargaining power without a CBA. This prompted Falck to revitalize the union Slack channel, which rapidly grew to 217 members. By October 2024, they officially voted to form a union club. (IGN reached out to Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King for comment but received no response.)

While the union acknowledges it's unlikely to reinstate the private doctor benefit, their focus has shifted to securing a CBA to safeguard existing benefits and address other crucial issues. These include salary transparency, protection against company reorganizations and layoffs, and improved communication regarding company decisions. The union emphasizes the importance of employee input and knowledge of their rights, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce at King. Unionen organizer Timo Rybak highlighted the value of employee participation in decision-making processes, emphasizing the unique insights employees offer that management often lacks. The union’s efforts extend beyond securing benefits; they also aim to educate employees about their rights and empower them to advocate for themselves. For Falck and her colleagues, the union represents a way to protect the positive aspects of their workplace culture and secure a better future for all employees.