Blizzard Entertainment workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have voted to ratify their first union contracts, covering about 1,900 employees. The agreements, reached after roughly two years of bargaining, include wage increases, grievance procedures, a three-day in-office hybrid work week, "just cause" protections, accommodations for remote work and disability, and an extra four weeks of severance regardless of tenure. The contracts also require Blizzard to "discuss, evaluate and bargain over the usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace." Notably, workers gain the right to be "recalled" into open positions at any Blizzard bargaining unit for 14 months from the date their layoff is announced—a significant win in an industry hit by deep job cuts, including at Blizzard owner Microsoft and its Xbox division. "I believe the positive change we have won will ripple out and help make the games industry as a whole a better place for workers and players alike," said Simon Hedron, Overwatch bargaining committee member and Quality Analyst. "This contract is the start of something greater, and I urge everyone to remember: when we fight together, we win together." The ratification follows years of unionization efforts across various Blizzard teams, including those working on World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble, as well as support units in Platform & Technology, Story and Franchise Development, and Quality Assurance.