“It’s very disappointing,” union that supported Activision Blizzard’s purchase lashes out at Microsoft over Xbox layoffs

The Communications Workers Union of America (CWAfor its acronym in English) supported and defended the purchase of Activision Blizzard by part of MicrosoftThe union asked regulators to approve the acquisition, as it had reached a labor-neutrality agreement with the tech giant, which would give studio workers the freedom to unionize.

The agency has radically changed its view on the deal in recent months. This is because Microsoft has fired 2250 employees of Xbox and this has affected several teams at Activision Blizzard. The most recent wave of layoffs impacted 650 workers, including creatives who worked on Call of Duty and Warcraft.

In response, the CWA issued a statement expressing its anger, believing that Microsoft is wrong and that its decision to lay off so many workers is very disappointing. It invited workers to continue fighting for their jobs and, in passing, criticized the industry’s executives.

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CWA confronts Microsoft after new wave of Xbox layoffs

“Microsoft’s decision to lay off 650 video game workers is an extremely disappointing move by one of the largest and most profitable corporations in the world (…) While none of those losing their jobs are represented by CWA, we understand how devastating the layoffs are for workers and their families,” the union said.

The organization also recalled the recent layoffs at Bungie by Sony, for which it lamented the current state of the industry. It ranted against executives such as Chris Deering, former president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, who said that the laid-off employees should go on a beach trip or drive an Uber.

He explained that more than 6,000 workers in the technology and video game industries are part of CWA, so they will continue to fight for their rights, especially after what happened with Microsoft and Xbox.

Samuel Cooperproducer of World of Warcraft and union member, lashed out at Microsoft, criticising the fact that it is one of the most profitable companies in the world and cannot achieve long-term success without laying off hundreds of its workers.

“All workers deserve a say in the workplace and to decide on the impact of job cuts. While we hope that a company like Microsoft, with $88 billion in profits last year, can achieve long-term success without destroying the livelihoods of 650 of our colleagues, ruthless layoffs like these have become all too common.

“We stand in solidarity with everyone who lost their jobs today and encourage all video game workers to join us and form unions so we can protect each other,” the creative said in his call.

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