Over 100 Builders of Simply Trigger, Contraband at Avalanche Studios Have Unionized

Over 100 builders at Avalanche Studios Group, the studio behind the Simply Trigger franchise and upcoming Xbox-exclusive Contraband, have joined Swedish commerce union Unionen. And now, they’re bargaining with Avalanche administration over their contract.

IGN confirmed the information right now with an Avalanche Studios union consultant, in addition to a consultant of Unionen and Avalanche PR. Of roughly 500 staff at Avalanche, over 100 of them are members of Unionen. Earlier this yr, these members fashioned a “membership,” or native union board, so as to discount immediately with Avalanche administration over particular advantages. Negotiations started final week and are ongoing, and moreover embrace staff who’re members of a special union, Sveriges Ingenjörer.

Union membership in Sweden works considerably otherwise than lots of the studio unions we have seen in the USA to this point. In Sweden, eligible staff are allowed to affix a commerce union at any time with no union election at their office, and a protracted historical past of collective bargaining within the nation has resulted in a deep intertwining of unions, firms, and labor legal guidelines. Roughly 70% of the nation is concerned in a union (per information shared by Unionen), and it is extra widespread to have a union at one’s office than not. This, nevertheless, marks the primary time unions have gone to the bargaining desk with Avalanche in its 20 yr historical past.

Due to excessive membership and Sweden’s union historical past and labor legal guidelines, commerce unions broadly have the ability to barter normal working circumstances (similar to salaries and sick depart) for staff of their respective sectors, country-wide. Nonetheless, additional and extra particular negotiations are in a position to happen at an organization degree if sufficient staff develop into members of the identical union and vote for a board to barter on their behalf. What’s extra, native union boards obtain a voice in main firm selections similar to hiring and firing of staff and additions of C-suite members.

Whereas a Unionen consultant declined to share what points the staff are bargaining over, IGN understands that one attainable merchandise of worker curiosity could possibly be a transfer to a four-day work week, amongst different issues. If a contract is agreed upon, it might be good for 2 years, after which a brand new board election would happen for a brand new negotiation. The present spherical of negotiations have solely simply begun, however each events recommended that progress to this point has been optimistic.

Replace 12:45pm PT: A union consultant from Avalanche Studios provided the next assertion:

We (by which I imply the board of the native union department) are very hopeful in regards to the prospect of signing a collective bargaining settlement, and consider that this can be a terrific step in the direction of making certain that the ideas, concepts, emotions, and opinions of Avalanche’s staff are given the illustration that they deserve. We stay up for working along with firm management to make the corporate higher.

Unique story continues: In response to a request for remark, an Avalanche spokesperson mentioned the next:

As an employer, we’re dedicated to creating the absolute best circumstances for all Avalanchers to thrive. We help and welcome any initiative that goes on this course. This additionally implies that we hear, invite dialogue, and encourage individuals to convey ahead their views and desires. In any case, it’s because of every Avalancher that we’re in a position to make the good video games we’re recognized for.

Avalanche staff’ bargaining comes nearly a yr after a equally collective response to frustrations with administration. Final November, annoyed staff efficiently pressured administration right into a public apology after the corporate employed a high-level particular person who had been publicly accused of inappropriate office conduct towards ladies in a earlier position. With this, Avalanche joins quite a few different studios in collective bargaining as a part of a rising labor motion in video games that features Sega, Workinman Interactive, Blizzard Albany, Raven Software program, Zenimax QA, and online game voice actors.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Received a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.