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 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 significantly from the U.S. model. Swedish workers can join unions regardless of company-level organization, resulting in approximately 70% union membership nationwide. Unions negotiate sector-wide agreements, while individual membership offers additional benefits. However, forming a company-level union club and securing a CBA provides workplace-specific advantages, including representation in upper management and a voice in major company decisions. This mirrors a growing trend in the Swedish gaming industry, with similar actions at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

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

This event galvanized previously quiet employees into action. Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, explains that the previously inactive union Slack channel rapidly gained over 200 members. This surge in interest led to the formation of the union club in October 2024. Microsoft, while publicly committed to a neutral stance on unionization, has yet to respond to IGN's request for comment.

The newly formed union aims to negotiate a CBA to protect existing benefits and address concerns about salary transparency, company reorganizations, and layoffs. Union organizer Timo Rybak highlights the value of employee input in improving workplace conditions and ensuring fair treatment. The union also serves as a valuable resource for employees, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to understand their rights and advocate for themselves.

For Falck and her colleagues, the union's formation, while initially a response to a negative change, ultimately aims to preserve the positive aspects of their work environment and company culture. The goal is to ensure a voice in future decisions and protect employee well-being.