Raven Software management is finally in talks with employees regarding the layoffs in the studio’s QA department.
On Dec. 3, 2021, Activision Blizzard laid off several Raven Software contractors, prompting employees in permanent positions to stop working until leadership addressed their demands. Six days later, on Dec. 9, the ABK Workers Alliance created a Gofundme page allowing anyone to donate toward the cause so that employees could proceed with the labor strike.
Now, as the strike action enters its third week and the ABK funding surpasses more than $360,000, an Activision Blizzard spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz that talks between management and Raven Software employees are allegedly ongoing.
“Activision is deeply committed to the wellbeing of all of our teams, including our QA workforce,” Activision Blizzard said via GamesIndustry.biz. “Raven leadership has engaged in dialogue with its staff to hear concerns and explain the company’s overall investment in development resources. As previously announced, we are growing our overall investment in development and operations resources and converting nearly 500 temporary workers to full-time employees across our studios, the largest conversion in Activision’s history.”
Today is the third week in which employees across the company are striking in solidarity with Raven QA in response to surprise layoffs. Having had no response from our leadership, Raven QA sent the following letter earlier today. #WeAreRaven pic.twitter.com/e9AjbpuiJN
— ABetterABK 💙 ABK Workers Alliance (@ABetterABK) January 4, 2022
The statement continues: “For the 12 temporary workers at Raven whose agreements were not extended, we provided an extended notice period, included payment for the two-week holiday break, and will be working directly with those that need relocation assistance. Raven is full of people dedicated to improving the culture at Activision, and we look forward to partnering with employees to do that work together.”
However, Activision Blizzard QA tester Kate Anderson claims this statement from the company allegedly wasn’t communicated to strikers beforehand.
ABK will tell you that Raven's leadership is working with QA testers on how to move forward. However, Raven QA testers say that leadership refuses to communicate directly about the strike.
— Kate Anderson💙#WeAreRaven💙 (@RebelComicNerd) January 6, 2022
Hey just a reminder that ABK strikers woke up to a PRESS INTERVIEW where the company said they were working with RavenQA to move forward. Friends, this was the first time strikers had even gotten a response from the company, and they didn't even bother to do it directly.
— Kate Anderson💙#WeAreRaven💙 (@RebelComicNerd) January 6, 2022
The strike is a direct result of ongoing internal turmoil at Activision Blizzard.
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
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