Hundreds of Bethesda video game employees, responsible for titles like Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls, are launching a strike nationwide.
Hundreds of employees at Bethesda, known for developing titles such as Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls, are initiating a nationwide strike. Workers in Maryland and Texas are leaving their positions, asserting that the company has not adequately addressed their concerns regarding remote work during negotiations and has started outsourcing quality assurance tasks without the union’s consent. Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2021 for $7.5 billion, is home to the largest video game union in the United States, established in January 2023 and comprising over 300 quality assurance personnel. Although the union has been hesitant to provide updates on negotiations and has acknowledged some progress with Microsoft, it deemed the one-day strike a necessary action due to unaddressed demands. In October, the union lodged an unfair labor practice complaint against ZeniMax. Microsoft and ZeniMax have not yet responded to inquiries for comment.
“I’m excited. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I think it’s going to be a fun event,” stated Rhyanna Eichner, a quality assurance test lead responsible for overseeing employees who test Bethesda games for bugs, among other duties, in an interview with Inverse the day prior to the strike. “I know that sounds strange, but we’re all genuinely eager to come together and spend time with one another. Everyone recognizes that this action is necessary. This is essential for progress. We are all prepared for it.”
The union is aiming to restrict the proportion of quality assurance testers that the company outsources relative to the number of full-time employees on its bargaining committee. It has not disclosed specifics regarding Microsoft’s outsourcing decisions.
Additionally, the union is advocating for a more adaptable remote work policy. Currently, ZeniMax employees are mandated to be in the office twice a week, and the union claims that many requests for remote work have been denied. Eichner asserts that the company has consistently overlooked the union’s proposals regarding remote work.
“They have repeatedly presented us with the same initial proposal, and it has become clear that our various mobilization strategies have not been effective,” Eichner states.
Juniper Dowell, a senior quality assurance tester based in Rockville, Maryland, indicates that numerous testers would be compelled to relocate or seek new employment if required to attend the office five days a week, as they were hired under different conditions during the recent remote work period.
“Striking is neither enjoyable nor ideal, but there is a sense of fulfillment in taking tangible action to advocate for improved working conditions,” Dowell remarks. “We hope to persuade them to cease their delays and engage with us in negotiations.”
