All unionized Dragon Age: Dreadwolf QA workers have been laid off

[John Elden Ring]

All of Keywords Studios’ unionized QA workers were laid off from the studio in late September after Dragon Age: Dreadwolf developer BioWare declined to continue its contract in August.

The QA workers, who were contracted to assist with playtesting and quality assurance at BioWare Edmonton, won their union vote in June 2022. All 16 eligible voters said “yes” to joining United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Union, Local No. 401. It was a historic vote, making the group the first games industry union in Canada. Keywords Studios workers were in bargaining with the company when they were laid off following the news of 50 job cuts at BioWare itself.

A UFCW representative told Polygon that 13 people were laid off — everyone supporting BioWare. Liz Corless, Keywords Studios’ global head of marketing, confirmed that 13 Edmonton-based QA workers were laid off.

“We can confirm that regrettably the 13 Edmonton-based staff have now left the business following the end of a fixed term client contract,”

Corless wrote in an email.

The group of workers were laid off on Sept. 27. Russwurm added that Keywords Studios has “taken the position there is no more work available.” (Keywords Studios has several QA job postings listed on its website, in Canada and across the world. Many, but not all of these listings, are related to language localization and require specialties that the laid-off workers may not have.)

 

[Gamernyc78]

All unionized Dragon Age: Dreadwolf QA workers have been laid off

The union has filed an unfair labor complaint

www.polygon.com

The QA workers, who were contracted to assist with playtesting and quality assurance at BioWare Edmonton, won their union vote in June 2022. All 16 eligible voters said “yes” to joining United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Union, Local No. 401. It was a historic vote, making the group the first games industry union in Canada. Keywords Studios workers were in bargaining with the company when they were laid off following the news of 50 job cuts at BioWare itself.

A UFCW representative told Polygon that 13 people were laid off — everyone supporting BioWare. Liz Corless, Keywords Studios’ global head of marketing, confirmed that 13 Edmonton-based QA workers were laid off.

“We can confirm that regrettably the 13 Edmonton-based staff have now left the business following the end of a fixed term client contract,”

Corless wrote in an email.

The group of workers were laid off on Sept. 27. Russwurm added that Keywords Studios has “taken the position there is no more work available.” (Keywords Studios has several QA job postings listed on its website, in Canada and across the world. Many, but not all of these listings, are related to language localization and require specialties that the laid-off workers may not have.)

 

[Gamernyc78]

Seems like their contract was up and work done so idk.

 

[anonpuffs]

ign article

Five former Ubisoft executives were reportedly arrested following a year-long sexual assault and harassment investigation within the company.


As reported by French publication Libération, translated by GI.biz, former chief creative officer Serge Hascoët and former VP of editorial and creative services Tommy François — both of whom left Ubisoft in summer 2020 following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations — were among those placed in police custody.

The case is being handled by the public prosecutor's office in the Paris district of Bobigny after simultaneous complaints were made by the Solidaires Informatique union and two victims on their own behalf. Judicial police then collected testimonies from around 50 current and former employees. The plaintiff's lawyer Maude Beckers told Libération the investigation "reveals systemic sexual violence".

When asked for comment by IGN, Ubisoft said: "Ubisoft has no knowledge of what has been shared and therefore can’t comment."

Allegations emerged against multiple Ubisoft departments and studios in 2020. Assassin's Creed Valhalla director Ashraf Ismail was fired from the company, while Hascoët, François, and global head of HR Cécile Cornet all stepped down.

Ubisoft committed to making major changes following the allegations. "I am determined to make profound changes in order to improve and strengthen our corporate culture," Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot said at the time.

"We already have acted swiftly and firmly, announcing and introducing large-scale initiatives intended to transform our organization. Our overriding aim is ensuring that all Ubisoft employees have a safe and inclusive workplace environment."

A report which emerged a year later, however, had Ubisoft employees claiming "nothing has changed". Guillemot said Ubisoft had strengthened its anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies and created new HR processes, among other changes, but committed again to making further improvements.

Now we know why Ubisoft got the cloud rights to Activision's games

 

[Nimrota]

 

[anonpuffs]

Unfortunately unions have a lot less power unless the industry is unionized. But it'll get better as more outfits vote to unionize.

 

[Alabtrosmyster]

Unfortunately unions have a lot less power unless the industry is unionized. But it'll get better as more outfits vote to unionize.

Yes, then people like my friends will pay high union fees and well, if they did not pay those fees they would probably make more money than I am, but they do.

and they can't negotiate their conditions for themselves, this is a serious problem as it dehumanize the work relationship.

So, getting fired is the best thing that could have happened to them, it means they are free from the union's grip!

 

[anonpuffs]

Yes, then people like my friends will pay high union fees and well, if they did not pay those fees they would probably make more money than I am, but they do.

and they can't negotiate their conditions for themselves, this is a serious problem as it dehumanize the work relationship.

So, getting fired is the best thing that could have happened to them, it means they are free from the union's grip!

That's laughable. Union fees are tiny compared to the benefits negotiated. You've been propagandized against unions and it's hilarious and sad at the same time. Are unions perfect? No. But they are a damn sight better than nothing

 

[Gamernyc78]

That's laughable. Union fees are tiny compared to the benefits negotiated. You've been propagandized against unions and it's hilarious and sad at the same time. Are unions perfect? No. But they are a damn sight better than nothing

We need Jimmy Hoffa up in here!

 

[Nimrota]

That's laughable. Union fees are tiny compared to the benefits negotiated. You've been propagandized against unions and it's hilarious and sad at the same time. Are unions perfect? No. But they are a damn sight better than nothing

If your workplace does something illegal, why do you need a union? Genuine question. Here you just go to the authorities and it's taken care of.

 

[anonpuffs]

If your workplace does something illegal, why do you need a union? Genuine question. Here you just go to the authorities and it's taken care of.

Imagine thinking workplace laws aren't made by authorities that have been completely lobbied to hell by corporate interests. Also, imagine thinking illegal retaliation isn't something that doesn't happen constantly, and workers often don't have the resources or knowledge to fight it.

Also, unions aren't just there to fight illegal behavior by management. They're there to negotiate better pay, better benefits, better working conditions.

 

[Gods&Monsters]

Microsoft will have to deal with the same union mess at Activision. Thousands of employees will vote what a shitshow LMAO

 

[JAHGamer]

Now we know why Ubisoft got the cloud rights to Activision's games

 

[Box]

Friendly Reminder Bill Gates was a frequent visitor of Epstein Island

 

[Gamernyc78]

Five former Ubisoft executives arrested after sexual harassment investigation

Well damn!!! https://www.ign.com/articles/former-ubisoft-execs-reportedly-arrested-after-year-long-sexual-harassment-investigation Former Ubisoft Execs Reportedly Arrested After Year-Long Sexual Harassment Investigation Five in total. BY RYAN DINSDALE UPDATED: OCT 4, 2023 10:04 AM...

icon-era.com

Already posted

@TubzGaming please merge

 

[Gamernyc78]

If your workplace does something illegal, why do you need a union? Genuine question. Here you just go to the authorities and it's taken care of.

The workers at my job just created a union and it had nothing to do with illegal practices but just to have more power, voice and bargaining chips as a unified group.

 

[Zzero]

That's laughable. Union fees are tiny compared to the benefits negotiated. You've been propagandized against unions and it's hilarious and sad at the same time. Are unions perfect? No. But they are a damn sight better than nothing

Game QA is not geographically limited in the slightest and since its nearly all QA and English localizers that are pushing for unions, well, anyone in the world can do that and you don't even need to send equipment overseas. I forsee a very, very, very tough time for games unionization efforts if they don't break through in dev teams, these support studios aren't worth enough-anyone can do their job.

 

[anonpuffs]

Game QA is not geographically limited in the slightest and since its nearly all QA and English localizers that are pushing for unions, well, anyone in the world can do that and you don't even need to send equipment overseas. I forsee a very, very, very tough time for games unionization efforts if they don't break through in dev teams, these support studios aren't worth enough-anyone can do their job.

We've seen what a lack of QA can do to a game's sales. You say anyone can do it, and yes, technically true. But can everyone do a good job of it? Recent AAA releases seem to indicate otherwise.

 

[Would_you_kindly]

The only thing I know about unions is ... so long dental plan , Lisa needs braces

 

[Frozone]

All unionized Dragon Age: Dreadwolf QA workers have been laid off

The union has filed an unfair labor complaint

www.polygon.com

The QA workers, who were contracted to assist with playtesting and quality assurance at BioWare Edmonton, won their union vote in June 2022. All 16 eligible voters said “yes” to joining United Food and Commercial Workers Canada Union, Local No. 401. It was a historic vote, making the group the first games industry union in Canada. Keywords Studios workers were in bargaining with the company when they were laid off following the news of 50 job cuts at BioWare itself.

A UFCW representative told Polygon that 13 people were laid off — everyone supporting BioWare. Liz Corless, Keywords Studios’ global head of marketing, confirmed that 13 Edmonton-based QA workers were laid off.



Corless wrote in an email.

The group of workers were laid off on Sept. 27. Russwurm added that Keywords Studios has “taken the position there is no more work available.” (Keywords Studios has several QA job postings listed on its website, in Canada and across the world. Many, but not all of these listings, are related to language localization and require specialties that the laid-off workers may not have.)

Damn, game companies are shaving like crazy near this end of year. Sucks.