Raven Software QA workers - who are now on their fifth week of strikes - have formed a union. They're calling for voluntary recognition, which would make them the first union in a major game company in North America.The news comes just days after the announcement that Microsoft is acquiring Activision Blizzard, leaving workers to worry that abuse allegations will take a backseat during the transition - or be forgotten entirely. Raven workers were already on strike before the merger was revealed, and today's news puts their demands back in the conversation.Related: Microsoft Needs To Put Workers First In The Activision Blizzard TakeoverThe union, named the Game Workers Alliance, has already shared some of its aims on Twitter. The workers are calling for an end to the practice of "crunch", as well as more equity, diversity, and transparency with decision making.

The mission statement has a particular focus on QA workers, who are routinely mistreated throughout the entire industry. Many of them are hired through precarious temporary contracts, despite being given the workload of permanent members of staff. They are reportedly promised full contracts, before being laid off without warning. It was this practice that triggered Raven workers' recent walkout, as 12 QA testers were laid off just before the holiday season.

Workers are calling on Activision to voluntarily recognize Game Workers Unite. It remains to be seen how the industry giant responds, but it has proven to be anti-union in the past. For example, just after the shocking allegations of abuse at Activision Blizzard came to light, it hired a law firm notorious for its history with union-busting. Aside from that, it's done all it can to ignore the growing calls for unionization, with Bobby Kotick failing to mention the strike once during a call with staff yesterday. Instead, he spoke about the future of the games they work on, and the metaverse.

Today's news is hot on the heels of the formation of the first-ever game workers union in North America: Vodeo Workers United. Game Workers United would be the first union in the triple-A space in the region.

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