Chris Kerr, News EditorMarch 19, 20253 Min ReadImage via CWAGame workers across the United States and Canada have launched an industry-wide union with assistance from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to build a game industry that "nourishes its talent and invests in its future."United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA) broke cover at GDC 2025 and aims to bring together artists, writers, designers, QA testers, programmers, freelancers, and more to "build worker power irrespective of studio and current job status."UVW-CWA has launched as both a direct-join (or pre-majority) organization and CWA local."Direct-join organizing, sometimes referred to as pre-majority unionism, enables workersincluding freelancers and the thousands of video game workers who were laid off in recent yearsto build power across the industry without the obstacles and delays that employers can impose during the traditional union certification process," explained the CWA.It's a setup that should make it easier for workers to address shared concerns across multiple studios, allowing them to push for large-scale reform."Their first issue campaign will be around layoffsgiven the fact that 1 in 10 video game developers were laid off in 2024, many video game workers have been mobilized to organize. And now they can," continued the CWA. "Workers will be sharing around a petition to address the industry-wide layoffs and hope to gain widespread support while at GDC."Related:"Stand with your peers. Reject the status quo."Discussing its broader mission in a pamphlet being distributed at GDC, UVW-CWA took aim at the rise of AI technology, which it claims "threatens to devalue our skills and erase our labor," and said developers must unite to demand fair wages, humane hours, and job security."Together, we can create an industry that works for us, not just for CEOs and shareholders. Its time to act. Stand with your peers. Reject the status quo. Lets build a union that gives us the respect, power, and future we deserve. We make the gameswe must set the terms," it added.Specifically, the union feels game industry workers too often have their passion exploited by corporations that constantly prioritize short-term profits over employee growth and treats its workforce like "replaceable cogs."In an FAQ, UVW-CWA said anybody working in the game industry in the U.S. and Canada can apply to joinincluding those plying their trade at triple-A, double-A, and indie studios.Freelancers, contractors, and those in other roles at publishers, support studios, and more can also apply for membership. Leads and producers will be considered, but UVW-CWA noted that anybody who has the final say over hiring, firing, or disciplining employees won't be admitted.Related:"We're ordinary people that believe in our power, and believe that power is magnified when we work together. Take the fire you felt when you first picked up a controller and discovered this medium and its limitless potential, and pour it into the struggle for a better future," added UVW-CWA."Industry bosses have shown time and time again that they will choose the siren call of profit over uplifting workers or doing whats right. Now is the time to stand with your peers, and fight for the dignity and respect you deserve."Read more about:GDC 2025Top StoriesAbout the AuthorChris KerrNews Editor, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, andPocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like