Newly revealed United Video Game Workers union quickly gaining members at GDC

(CWA) union, the UVW aims to advocate for workers’ rights and job security within the video game industry. The UVW is currently collecting signatures for a petition that demands dignity and job security for all video game workers, particularly those who are facing layoffs.

According to high-ranking members of both the UVW and the CWA, the formation of this union signifies a collective effort to empower video game workers. Tom Smith, the CWA’s senior director of organizing, emphasized that the union’s creation was not an isolated decision but rather a culmination of efforts by thousands of video game workers who are striving to redefine collective unity and reclaim power in one of the largest and most profitable industries globally. Claude Cummings Jr, the president of the CWA, highlighted the importance of the UVW in helping video game workers build power within their industry, stressing that as video game studios consolidate, workers often become an afterthought, leading to cycles of layoffs and rehiring that prioritize short-term profits over sustainable futures.

Building on the legacy of previous movements like Game Workers Unite and CODE-CWA, which aimed to promote unionization in the tech sector, the UVW has already amassed over 100 members within its first 24 hours of announcement. This early success bodes well for the union’s potential to make a significant impact on the industry and support workers’ rights and job security.

The emergence of the UVW is timely, as other unions like SAG-AFTRA continue to advocate for better treatment of video game industry professionals, including voice actors and motion capture artists. SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing fight against companies that exploit talent and fail to adjust wages for inflation underscores the need for collective action to address systemic issues in the industry.

The formation of the UVW signals a turning point in the video game industry, where developers and other professionals are mobilizing to demand fair treatment, job security, and respect for their contributions. By uniting under a common cause, video game workers are paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for all industry professionals.