Microsoft reaffirmed its commitment to labour principles and its innovative approach to union partnerships. The company announced in a blog post following the closing of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
In June 2022, Microsoft announced four principles explaining its approach to labour organizing. The principles included a commitment to respecting employees’ right to organize and bargain collectively and to remain neutral in union organizing campaigns.
Microsoft’s four principles of labour organization, in short, are:
- Listen to employees.
- Respect employee rights.
- Collaborate with unions.
- Maintain close relationships with all employees.
In the weeks following that announcement, Microsoft and the Communication Workers of America (CWA) announced a neutrality agreement for the tech industry and labour sector. The agreement was designed to go into effect if Microsoft was successful in its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
After the acquisition was finalized, Microsoft reinforced its commitment to its labour principles and neutrality agreement with the CWA. Additionally, the company expressed its eagerness to meet, listen to, and learn from its newly acquired Activision Blizzard employees.
Microsoft demonstrates its commitment to creating a fair and equitable workplace by supporting its employees’ right to collectively organize and negotiate better working conditions. Unions can play a crucial role in achieving this goal by advocating for the rights and interests of all employees.
