United Videogame Workers-CWA Union Announced, Welcomes All Game Workers, Even Freelance or Laid Off

 The Communications Workers of America have announced a new stage in their efforts in video game industry unionization. They’ve recently formed United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433 (UVW-CWA) along with American Federation of Musicians (AFM).

The new union represents a number of game workers in the United States and Canada. The difference about this union is that it is not company specific, and any video game worker or musician in the US and Canada can apply to join. The union welcomes video game freelancers, indie developers, musicians, and even those affected by the many video game industry layoffs. So even if you don't have a current position, you could have a current union.

The new union was announced at the 2025 Game Developer Conference this week. Previous efforts by CWA include representing unions across companies like Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, and current parent company to those three, Microsoft. Different this time is workers don't have to belong to any particular field or any particular company in order to join United Videogame Workers-CWA. 

In a press release, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr emphasizes this next level of effort, particularly after two very tough years without a clear sign of recovery just yet.

“As video game studios have consolidated, the workers whose creativity, dedication, and skill bring the games to life have become more an afterthought. They are subject to endless cycles of layoffs and rehiring as corporate executives pursue short-term profits at the expense of a sustainable future”.