Magic: The Gathering Arena developers at Wizards of the Coast voted by a supermajority to unionize with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to improve workplace protections [1]. The newly formed union is called United Wizards of the Coast—CWA [1].
The developers cited concerns including layoff protections, remote work policies, the use of generative AI, mandatory crunch time, and demands for greater workplace transparency and equity as reasons for unionizing [1]. The union drive was partly motivated by mass layoffs across Hasbro in 2023 and the company's return-to-office mandate [1].
Damien Wilson, a senior software development engineer and union member, said, “At Wizards, we’re organizing for a say in layoffs, accountability that runs up and down the chain, and a living wage that actually lets people build a life. I’m hopeful about what we can build here and being clear-eyed about why it’s necessary. This isn’t just something that affects Wizards of the Coast; it’s how most American workplaces are set up: investor profit above all, even if it hurts those behind the products we all know and love. Unions are the missing counterweight to protect our craft.” [1]
The CWA has given Wizards of the Coast until the end of this week to voluntarily recognize the union and has filed an election petition with the US National Labor Relations Board [1]. The developers have also launched a public petition to pressure Wizards of the Coast and parent company Hasbro to recognize the union by May 1 [1].
Mass layoffs in 2023 at Hasbro had already heightened job security concerns among Wizards developers, contributing to the union effort [1]. The voluntary recognition deadline set by the CWA aims to formalize collective bargaining soon [1].
