Report: Wizards of the Coast is trying to discourage workers from unionizing
Wizards of the Coast has been sending letters to employees aimed at discouraging them from voting to unionize, according to reports. This comes after a significant portion of Magic: The Gathering Arena developers signed union cards last month and formally signaled their intent to organize under the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union banner.
The organizing effort, which will operate as United Wizards of the Coast—CWA, issued a formal request to both Wizards of the Coast and its parent company Hasbro for voluntary union recognition by May 1. The deadline passed without the companies providing official recognition to union organizers, effectively rejecting the request.
With voluntary recognition off the table, employees will now participate in a National Labor Relations Board election to determine whether unionization will move forward. The apparent company effort to discourage unionization through direct communication to staff represents a notable escalation in what has become an increasingly contentious labor situation within the gaming industry.