CWA-ZeniMax Workers United Secure Juneteenth Holiday For Global Workforce at Microsoft Video Game Studio

(Rockville, MD)— In a significant victory for workers' rights, CWA-ZeniMax Workers United proudly announces that employees at Microsoft’s ZeniMax video game studio will now enjoy an additional Personal Day, which can be used to celebrate Juneteenth or another date of particular significance. This triumph comes after persistent negotiations with Microsoft management, culminating in the acknowledgment of this essential federal holiday.

After workers secured an agreement on the additional Personal Day, ZeniMax management announced the new policy for employees worldwide. Furthermore, contractors who will become employees once the full collective bargaining agreement is ratified will also benefit from a paid day off on Juneteenth. This achievement marks a significant step in the workers’ ongoing mission to ensure fair treatment and recognition for all ZeniMax workers.

To celebrate Juneteenth and support ongoing contract bargaining, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. and members of CWA-ZeniMax Workers United will host a rally in Rockville, Md., starting at 10 a.m. EDT on Juneteenth. Workers at the Austin, Texas, worksite will also hold a celebration in recognition of this victory and to honor the legacy of Juneteenth.

In addition to securing Juneteenth as a holiday for the global ZeniMax workforce, workers have also secured the reinstatement of Christmas Eve (December 24th) as a paid holiday for members of the union.

"Recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday was a priority for our union members, and we are proud that our efforts resulted in this positive change for all ZeniMax employees. That’s what having a union is all about: taking collective action to improve our workplace. We are continuing to negotiate with the company on other issues and look forward to finalizing our first union contract soon," said Veronica Martinez, Contract QA Tester and member of CWA-ZeniMax Workers United.

On January 3, 2023, Zenimax QA workers in Maryland and Texas received recognition as the first video game studio union at Microsoft. The workers organized their union under the terms of CWA’s groundbreaking labor neutrality agreement with Microsoft. CWA-ZeniMax Workers United represents over 300 quality assurance workers at Microsoft subsidiary ZeniMax Media.

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About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

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