Unionen's Call to Action for the Gaming Industry

Unionen Advocates for CBAs in Gaming Sector

Unionen, Sweden’s largest trade union in the private sector, is calling on the gaming industry to step up and join the Swedish standard in organizing workplaces through signing a collective bargaining agreement (CBA). With the video game industry employing nearly 25,000 people as of 2023, it’s time to ensure stable employment conditions, a good working environment, and transparency for all employees. 

The Swedish Union Model 

The Swedish union model is built on collaboration between trade unions representing employees and employer associations representing companies. This model ensures a level playing field with rules and regulations based on labour legislation tailored to each sector’s needs. Collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) are a cornerstone of this model, providing a framework for fair and efficient negotiations. 

Simplicity, Clarity, Stability 

A CBA complements Swedish labour laws, addressing the unique needs of each sector. Employer associations and trade unions negotiate terms that include salary reviews, employment forms, occupational pension plans, working hours, and notice periods. According to Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv), 91% of Swedish companies are members of an employer association, offering their employees the benefits of a CBA. 

– Agreeing on a level playing field allows competition without the risk of improving profitability by offering poor employment conditions. When global events shake the market, Sweden has repeatedly shown its ability to find joint solutions through negotiations, says Sebastian Brandt, ombudsman at the regional Unionen office South-West. 

Quick Decision-Making and Occupational Safety 

Occupational safety and health are everyone’s responsibility. CBAs can detail how preventative work should be conducted, adapting to industry standards. Local work environment representatives help identify and resolve issues quickly, ensuring transparency and stability. Additional training and joint lectures are available for union members and employer associations. The parties work together to make your workplace work! 

And if disaster strikes and downsizing is the only option available, a CBA will offer security for its members through arbitration models. Being a member of A-kassa gives workers who are being laid off a chance to land on their feet. A CBA comes with job security councils, like TRR who make finding a new workplace easier through re- and upskill support. 

Arbitration is made easy through negotiation on a local and central level. If the parties cannot agree, there is an option to go to the labour court for a decision. Both employer associations and unions have great experience in finding solutions locally. Together with local union representatives, finding a suitable solution is a fast and safe endeavour. 

Conclusion 

The Swedish video game industry is a success story, with world-renowned games like Battlefield (DICE), The Division (Massive), Minecraft (Mojang), Candy Crush Saga (King) and Little Nightmares (Tarsier) to name a few.  

It’s time for the industry to join the Swedish union model and show its commitment to long-term investment. "Together, we will address work environment issues, overtime through crunch culture, gender inequality, and skills shortages," says an Unionen spokesperson. "Experience shows that companies with collective bargaining agreements are considered more reputable and reliable." 

By companies joining an employer organization and workers joining a trade union, the gaming industry can ensure a sustainable and thriving future for its employees and the sector as a whole. 

Signed by elected Unionen clubs at Ubisoft, Paradox, Avalanche, Sharkclub at Sharkmob, Monkey Business at Tarsier Studios, TocaBoca and Dice.