Agreement, Deferred
Avalanche Studios Group, the developer behind the Just Cause franchise, has committed to signing a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its unionized workers. However, the signing won’t take place until Q2 of 2025. This decision has been met with some disappointment from the union, as they had hoped for a faster timeline.
The company’s decision to delay the signing is based on administrative reasons. The CBA is a standard agreement used by many companies and unions and has a validity period of one to three years. Avalanche wants to enter the agreement at the start of the next validity period, rather than in the middle of the current one.
While the union acknowledges the validity of this reasoning, they believe a delay of a full year is excessive. They argue that the company could have signed the agreement sooner and worked on the necessary internal systems to comply with its terms.
Filled With Co-Determination
Despite the delayed signing, Avalanche has made other concessions to the union. The company has agreed to act as if it is bound by co-determination, a key element of the CBA, and has promised to negotiate with the union and allow workers to be more involved in internal processes.
Co-determination gives workers a voice in company decisions, such as executive appointments, layoffs, and other organizational changes. It also guarantees the union at least one seat on the company’s board of directors.
The company’s commitment to co-determination is a significant step forward, especially considering past issues where workers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of company transparency. The union believes this will contribute to making Avalanche a better workplace for its employees.
While the CBA won’t be signed until next year, the unionized employees will continue to hold Avalanche accountable. They will use this time to continue negotiating with the company and advocate for additional benefits for the workforce, such as a four-day work week or six-hour workdays.
Avalanche’s commitment to a CBA is a positive development for the games industry, especially in light of the growing labor movement in the sector. This agreement signals a shift towards greater transparency and worker empowerment within the company.
The union is cautiously optimistic about the future of their relationship with Avalanche. They acknowledge the company’s willingness to work with them and believe that the signing of the CBA will mark a significant step towards a more equitable and collaborative workplace for all.
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