A new Polish game developer union, the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, has been formed in response to three rounds of layoffs at CD Projekt ADR OTGLY, the studio behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077.
The union was founded by current CD Projekt staff Paweł Myszka and Lev Ki. They decided to unionize after a 2023 wave of layoffs affected nine percent of CD Projekt Red staff.
See Also: Sega Of America Workers Officially Unionize Following Successful Vote
"This event created a tremendous amount of stress and insecurity, affecting our mental health and leading to the creation of this union in response," Polish Gamedev Workers Union said, according to IGN.
"Having a union means having more security, transparency, better protection, and a stronger voice in times of crisis."
The layoffs at CD Projekt were described as part of a strategic realignment to match team size with ongoing projects. The company emphasized its efforts to incorporate agile methodologies and optimize working arrangements.
The estimated cost of the layoffs, including severance payments, was around $1.1 million. CD Projekt's CEO Adam Kiciński, stated the company was "overstaffed" and there were no further opportunities for some employees in the coming year.
Avalanche Studios Joins Union Trend: Employees Seek Fair Terms with Unionen
In a parallel development reminiscent of the union formation at CD Projekt, Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios Group is witnessing more than 100 of its employees joining the Swedish trade union, Unionen.
This represents roughly a fifth of the 500-strong team in Sweden and signifies an ongoing negotiation with the company's management for equitable employment terms.
This unionization process has been in motion since earlier this year when a local union board was established by members to engage in discussions with the studio's management.
While specific issues were not disclosed by a union representative, sources indicate that one concern raised during negotiations pertains to transitioning to a four-day work week.
"As an employer, we’re committed to creating the best possible conditions for all Avalanchers to thrive. We support and welcome any initiative that goes in this direction," the studio told IGN.
Photo: manpeppe on Shutterstock.
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