#tech giant

Employees at Microsoft’s ZeniMax Studios successfully voted to form the tech giant’s first union in the United States. The Microsoft-approved union was supported by an “overwhelming majority” of ZeniMax workers, according to the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union. Popular games like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout are produced by ZeniMax Studios, a video game development studio. Following a pattern of stepped-up unionization efforts in the US tech sector, ZeniMax decided to unionize.

Other companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Google have also faced industrial action and union organizing efforts in recent years as workers demand more from employers as the cost of living rises.

It is yet to be seen how the company’s future interactions with its employees will be impacted by the existence of a union.

In ZeniMax

Microsoft has recognized the WashTech (WashTech) Washington Alliance as the first alliance of one of the US studios, ZeniMax.

WashTech, which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), represents around 300 quality assurance workers at ZeniMax’s offices in Maryland and Texas.

Furthermore, the union will allow collective bargaining over issues such as pay and working conditions and aims to improve job opportunities and reduce overwork and unfair pay practices.

By voluntarily agreeing to bargain with unionized employees, Microsoft avoids a formal process overseen by the National Labor Relations Board, which can often lead to legal battles.

The CWA has also been involved in unionization efforts at gaming company Activision Blizzard, which has resisted the campaigns. Last year, Microsoft announced a deal to acquire Activision Blizzard, which prompted the government to sue to block the deal over competition concerns.

As part of its efforts to win support for the merger, Microsoft struck a pact with the CWA to remain neutral in labor disputes. It is still being determined how the new union at ZeniMax will affect Microsoft’s operations.

(via Daring Fireball: Om Malik, 1966-2026)

Heartbreaking news, shared by Om’s family:

Om Malik passed away on June 24, 2026, at Stanford Hospital after a long health journey with his heart. He was surrounded by family and friends.

We invite you to share your remembrances of Om in the comments below or by posting and tagging his accounts on X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn.

Om kept this battle very private, so this news comes as a terrible surprise for many, and an incomprehensible gut punch for everyone who knew and loved him. Rest in peace, my friend.

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– MobileCoin CEO Josh Goldbar provided the following statement Wednesday:

Our dear friend and colleague, Bob Lee passed away yesterday at the age of 43, survived by a loving family and collection of close friends and collaborators.

Bob was a dynamo, a force of nature. Bob was the genuine article. He was made for the world that is being born right now, he was a child of dreams, and whatever he imagined, no matter how crazy, he made real.

Bob was made for the new world, he was the quintessential creator, leader, and consummate hacker. From large contributions to Android at google, to being the first CTO of Square, in that time creating CashApp, and working with us here at Mobilecoin, Bob surely had an impact that will last far beyond his short time on earth.