How the Removal of a Private Doctor Sparked a Union at the Developer of Candy Crush

In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office ignited a unionization drive. Microsoft, the new owner, eliminated a highly valued employee benefit: a dedicated, on-site doctor for staff and their families. This decision, communicated with only a week's notice, prompted widespread discontent.

Over 100 employees at King, Activision Blizzard's mobile gaming subsidiary in Stockholm, subsequently formed a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union. This follows a growing trend within the Swedish games industry, with similar unionization efforts at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Swedish unionization differs from the U.S. model. Workers can join a union regardless of company organization, leading to approximately 70% union membership nationwide. Unions negotiate sector-wide benefits, while individual membership offers additional perks. However, forming a union club and securing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provides workplace-specific benefits and influence within company decision-making.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King and a union board member, explained that the company's free doctor, a popular benefit, was abruptly removed. While employees received alternative health insurance, it lacked the personalized care of the previous arrangement. This sparked widespread discussion and galvanized union interest. The previously inactive union Slack channel rapidly grew to over 200 members.

The union's initial goal isn't to reinstate the lost doctor benefit, but to secure a CBA protecting existing benefits and influencing future changes. Key concerns include salary transparency, protection against layoffs, and a greater voice in company decisions. Union organizer Timo Rybak highlighted the value of employee input, emphasizing the limitations of management's understanding of daily work realities. The union also provides education on employee rights, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce at King.

The unionization effort, initially a response to a negative change, aims to safeguard the positive aspects of the King work environment and culture. While Microsoft has publicly committed to a neutral stance on unions, the King Stockholm union's formation demonstrates the power of collective action in protecting employee interests and shaping workplace dynamics.