Wizards of the Coast declines to voluntarily recognize D&D and Studio X union drive
Wizards of the Coast has declined to voluntarily recognize a union drive by employees on its Dungeons & Dragons and Studio X teams. The company’s refusal means the unionization effort will now proceed to a secret-ballot election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.
The union effort, led by United Wizards of the Coast-CWA, announced the company’s decision on October 14. In an email to US staff, Wizards of the Coast stated it is “not neutral on the question of unionization,” explicitly indicating opposition to the unionization effort. The company expressed a preference to deal with staff directly rather than through union representation.
Voluntary recognition would have allowed the company to acknowledge the union without requiring an election. By declining this path, Wizards of the Coast has chosen to proceed with the formal NLRB election process. The unionization drive reflects broader labor organizing efforts across the gaming industry, where workers have increasingly sought union representation to address workplace concerns.