A supermajority of Magic: The Gathering Arena developers have announced plans to unionise with the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
This is the first unionisation effort at Hasbro-owned Wizards of the Coast.
Senior software engineer Valentine Powell told Kotaku that the anticipated 100-member union has “the highest amount [percentage of eligible individuals] committed to a union of any team that I’ve ever seen unionise.”
The group began planning to unionise after two rounds of mass layoffs affecting 2,000 employees across Hasbro in 2023. Another 3% faced redundancies in 2025.
Senior software engineer Neil White said that return-to-office mandates accelerated unionisation efforts.
In a letter to management, workers outlined key concerns: protections against layoffs, remote work policies, safeguards for generative AI, an end to mandatory crunch, and increased transparency and equity.
Additional concerns included clearly defined roles and career progression, ownership of personal projects, and a “focus on partnerships and products that grow games sustainability.”
UWOTC-CWA members requested that management recognise the union by the end of this week. They also filed an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
“At Wizards, we’re organising a say in layoffs, accountability that runs up and down the chain, and a living wage that actually lets people build a life,” said UWOTC-CWA member and senior software development engineer Damien Wilson.
“This isn’t just something that affects Wizards of the Coast; it’s how most American workplaces are set up: investor profit above all, even if it hurts those behind the products we all know and love. Unions are the missing counterweight to protect our craft.”
CWA District 7 vice president Susie McAllister added: “Today’s union announcement is a milestone not just for these workers but for the games industry as a whole.
“Whether someone is designing digital worlds or crafting tabletop experiences, every worker deserves job security, fair compensation, and a seat at the table.”
“Together, we will ensure that the people who bring these games to life are treated with the dignity and respect that they’ve always deserved. CWA District 7 is honoured to stand with these members as they take this historic step toward union representation.”
