Trending Now - Magic: the Gathering Arena Team Moves to Unionize With CWA
WHO:
Engadget - Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro.
Fast Company - Damien Wilson, Senior Software Development Engineer and member of United Wizards of the Coast - CWA.
WHAT:
Engadget - The CWA has organized over 4,000 workers across the gaming industry as part of its CODE (Campaign to Organize Digital Employees).
Fast Company - The bargaining unit's letter states that they are willing to coordinate a third-party card check verification of their supermajority support to finalize a voluntary recognition agreement.
Engadget - The developers intend to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Engadget - The CWA has secured a "supermajority" among workers in favor of unionization for the chapter called United Wizards of the Coast (UWOTC-CWA).
Fast Company - The bargaining unit is set to represent more than 100 employees, including game designers, programmers, producers, and artists.
Fast Company - The group has filed for a formal election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which will be withdrawn if Hasbro recognizes the union by May 1.
Fast Company - The studio laid off about 30 employees last year, in addition to 1,000 workers laid off from Hasbro in 2023.
WHERE:
Fast Company - Wizards of the Coast is located in Renton, Washington.
WHEN:
Engadget - The deadline for Hasbro to voluntarily recognize the union is May 1.
Fast Company - The announcement of the intent to form a union was made on April 27.
WHY:
Engadget - Workers are seeking "increased transparency and equity" in the workplace, in addition to their other demands.
Engadget - Workers are organizing for a say in layoffs, accountability, and a living wage.
Fast Company - The push to unionize was triggered by mass layoffs at Hasbro that affected nearly 2,000 workers.
Fast Company - Key issues include protections over layoffs, remote work, generative AI guardrails, and mandatory crunch time.
HOW:
Fast Company - The group has filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to ensure a timely resolution for certifying their union if voluntary recognition is not granted.
Engadget - The CWA has been involved in recent unionization drives across the gaming industry.
Fast Company - The group has notified leadership at Wizards of the Coast, calling for voluntary recognition of the union.
(UPDATED April 28, 2026 21:19 UTC)
The Communication Workers of America has successfully organized over 4,000 workers in the gaming industry as part of its Campaign to Organize Digital Employees. In their efforts to secure a voluntary recognition agreement, the bargaining unit has expressed willingness to coordinate a third-party card check verification to confirm their supermajority support. To expedite the process, the group has also filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board to ensure a timely resolution for certifying their union if voluntary recognition is not granted.
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(UPDATED April 28, 2026 11:32 UTC)
Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena at Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, are moving to form a union with the Communications Workers of America, having secured a supermajority among workers in favor of this effort. The bargaining unit, representing over 100 employees including game designers and programmers, has filed for a formal election with the National Labor Relations Board, which they will withdraw if Hasbro recognizes the union by May 1. This push for unionization comes in response to significant layoffs at Hasbro, with workers seeking a say in layoffs, accountability, and a living wage, along with protections related to remote work and generative AI.