The studio behind the iconic Doom franchise, id Software, has voted to establish a “wall-to-wall” union, marking a significant step in ongoing unionisation efforts within the games industry. The structure means all employees are eligible to be members, regardless of role or department.
While the vote did not pass unanimously, a clear majority of staff supported the move. The union will affiliate with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the same organisation that has supported recent union drives across parent company ZeniMax Media.
Microsoft, which owns ZeniMax, has formally acknowledged the new union. According to the CWA, this recognition follows a labour neutrality agreement signed last year between Microsoft, the CWA and ZeniMax employees, which cleared the path for organising across its studios.
id Software Union Aligns With Wider ZeniMax Organising Efforts
The decision places id Software alongside other ZeniMax teams that have already unionised. The CWA confirmed that the union will operate under its existing framework, allowing id Software workers to move towards collective bargaining with Microsoft.
Producer at id Software and CWA committee member Andrew Willis described the effort as overdue, writing:
“The wall-to-wall organising effort at id Software was much needed; it’s incredibly important that developers across the industry unite to push back on all the unilateral workplace changes that are being handed down from industry executives.”
Remote Work and AI Protections High on Union Agenda
From its earliest stages, the union has prioritised protections around remote work. id Software Lead Services Programmer Chris Hays highlighted why the issue matters to staff, stating:
“Remote work isn’t a perk. It’s a necessity for our health, our families, and our access needs. RTO policies should not be handed down from executives with no consideration for accessibility or our well-being.”
Hays added that he is also seeking safeguards linked to the “responsible use of AI” as part of future worker protections.
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According to reporting by Aftermath, employees at id Software began organising roughly 18 months ago. Momentum reportedly increased following Microsoft’s decision to shut down several Bethesda-owned studios midway through last year.
Looking ahead to formal negotiations, CWA Local 6215 President Ron Swaggerty said, “We look forward to sitting across the table from Microsoft to negotiate a contract that reflects the skill, creativity and dedication these workers bring to every project.”
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