Wizards Of The Coast Begs Staff To Think Twice About Unionizing
Kotaku • • technology
Key Points:
- Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has responded to Magic: The Gathering Arena developers' unionization efforts by sending letters to employees cautioning against unionizing, rather than recognizing the union voluntarily.
- The letters, reportedly authored by WotC president John Hight, suggest that unionization could lead to worse wages and benefits, using language typical of union-avoidance strategies while avoiding direct threats prohibited by labor law.
- Union leaders report they have not received direct communication from WotC as a union and allege the company hired employer advocacy lawyers to conduct a daily campaign aimed at spreading fear and misinformation among employees.
- The union, representing about 75% of the Arena development team, is seeking improved layoff and remote work protections, as well as clear policies on generative AI, citing misalignment between employee values and recent company decisions.
- WotC has thus far only issued a statement to the press regarding the union petition and has not engaged directly with the union representatives; Kotaku has reached out to WotC for further comment.