Activision Blizzard was sued by employees. The company is accused of suppressing trade unions
Activision Blizzard is facing a new lawsuit. This time, the company was sued by its own employees. They accuse her of intimidating employees, suppressing the organization of trade unions and using unfair labor practices.According to the Washington Post, the lawsuit was filed by Activision Blizzard employees in conjunction with the large Communications Workers of America (CWA) union.
The plaintiffs believe that the company used coercive methods to prevent the creation of trade unions. In particular, we are talking about surveillance of employees, interrogations, threats and the promise of additional benefits for refusing to participate in the association.
According to the CWA, Activision Blizzard should have taken the necessary steps to eliminate the “terrible conditions” in which some of its employees found themselves. “Instead, the company reacted to the actions of its employees by surveillance, intimidation and hiring of well—known union destroyers,” said Tom Smith, director of the organization.
“Union destroyers” refers to the law firm WilmerHale, which Activision Blizzard hired to conduct an internal investigation. The company is known for helping corporations fight trade unions. At the same time, there is a long-term working relationship between WilmerHale and Activision Blizzard, which creates a conflict of interest.Earlier, the California Department of Fair Employment and Placement (DFEH) expressed concern about the publisher’s cooperation with this law firm. In the amended lawsuit, the organization also accused the company of destroying physical evidence.
Yesterday, amid the ongoing scandal, Activision Blizzard appointed two new top managers. The company has changed the head of personnel. Julie Hodges, a former vice president of human resources at Disney, took this position. The publisher also appointed a new commercial director, Sandeep Dube, who previously worked at Delta Airlines.
