Unionised Xbox workers have demanded protection from an expected mass cull, as Microsoft looks to downsize it’s games console and PC gaming division under new leadership. Recent reports have suggested Microsoft is plotting mass layoffs by the end of this month, in what Bloomberg’s Jason Schrier calls a potential “bloodbath”.
During a press conference, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) says Xbox workers “will not be treated as disposable” correctly claiming that: “The money is there, leadership is simply choosing where it goes and who pays.” QA tester Andrew Snell, who works with Microsoft-owned Activision Publishing says: “We’re done paying for executives’ failures,” he said. And Amen to that folks.
“We’re here to say this plainly: Those workers will not be treated as disposable,” CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arace said. He added that “the money is there” to ensure Xbox teams can continue in the same vein.
Meanwhile, UVW-CWA treasurer Sherveen Uduwana added: “There is no shortage of wealth in the games industry, especially if we’re talking about Xbox, Sony, EA.”
A Microsoft spokesperson told IGN it will continue to negotiate with the union in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
The representative said: “We respect the right of our team members to make their voices heard. We have a long track record of good faith partnership with labor organisations, as demonstrated by the several finalised bargaining agreements our teams have reached with the CWA and our labor principles. We are continuing to negotiate in good faith with the CWA to reach agreements across XBOX.”
Yeah, actions will speak louder than words on this front guys.
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