Staff from ZeniMax Media are now part of Microsoft's labour neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America. 

Announced in a post on the union's website, this deal means that the Xbox giant has to take a neutral stance on unionisation if staff at the Bethesda firm decide to move towards collective bargaining. Microsoft's initial labour neutrality agreement with the CWA was inked in 2022. 

“Thousands of our ZeniMax co-workers now have a free and fair path to organize together for better working conditions," ZeniMax Workers United-CWA member Page Branson said. 

"When we organized our union under a similar legal agreement the process was clear and management did not try to influence anyone’s decision and the company did not try to interfere with the voting process. There is strength in numbers, and as our numbers grow at ZeniMax, at Microsoft, and in the video game industry, we will gain the respect we deserve and raise the standards of working conditions for everyone across the video gaming industry. When we benefit, the consumer and the company will ultimately benefit with us and help keep this industry stable for current and future workers."

Microsoft VP and deputy general counsel for HR legal Amy Pannoni added: “We continue to put our labour principles into practice by entering into a neutrality agreement with the Communications Workers of America on behalf of workers at ZeniMax. We appreciate CWA’s collaboration in reaching this agreement and look forward to continuing our positive labor management relationship." 

This news comes hot on the heels of Microsoft shutting four ZeniMax outfits, including Redfall maker Arkane Austin.