Call of Duty QA Union Contract: 5 Big Wins After a Three-Year Grind

Let’s talk about the Call of Duty QA union contract—you know, the historic deal that took longer to materialize than a Metroid Prime sequel (no shade, okay, a little shade).

First, What Actually Happened?

Quality assurance workers at Raven Software, best known for their work on Call of Duty, just secured their first union contract with Microsoft. This only took three years, more patience than most people muster grinding for a shiny Pokémon. But finally, after organizing, striking, bargaining, and probably several cups of cold coffee, the contract is here—and it’s not just window dressing.

The Top 5 Wins in the Call of Duty QA Union Contract

• 10% Guaranteed Wage Increase: Over two years. Plus additional raises for merit and promotions. Look, QA shouldn’t just be the unsung heroes camped behind the respawn timer—they deserve the loot, too.
• Mandatory Overtime Restrictions: Gone are the days (hopefully) of crunch sirens blaring at midnight. There are now significant limits, so maybe QA can log out before the server maintenance begins.
• Layoff Protections: Job security—finally! Because getting ghosted by your employer should only happen in horror games, not actual careers.
• Expanded Disability Accommodations: Accessibility is now officially a thing, instead of just a bullet point on a PowerPoint.
• Burnout Prevention: The contract aims to keep QA testers from turning into caffeine-fueled zombies. Employees now have a real say in their work lives—which, novel idea, might actually help games ship in a less broken state.

Backstory: This Was Not a Speedrun

The unionization saga started in late 2021, right after Raven’s QA team got sideswiped by layoffs from Activision Blizzard. Employees weren’t having it—they walked out, drew support from all corners of Activision Blizzard, and held the line until management budged. Then, as if the universe wanted to add another plot twist, Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, and suddenly the whole power dynamic got reshuffled faster than a card game at a Vegas casino.

By May 2022, Raven QA had won their union election—Activision Blizzard played hardball and refused to recognize the union, but you know what? Sometimes, the underdogs actually win. Three. Years. Later. Cue the slow clap.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

Raven’s contract isn’t just a trophy for the mantlepiece—it’s a solid, actionable template that other workers are already eyeing. It’s no fluke: more Xbox subsidiaries have unionized, and ZeniMax QA workers just closed their own deal this May. Others are still in their own boss fights at the bargaining table.

And hey, if you’re interested in more stories about workers refusing to eat nerfed loot tables and demanding actual rewards, check out our look at Fighting Game Pros’ Big Wins.

Conclusion: Organizing Isn’t Just For Inventory Screens

This contract proves that QA isn’t just a backroom afterthought—they’re the last line of defense between you and a game-breaking glitch. Maybe, just maybe, other game studios should take the hint: gamers want polished titles, and the people who make that happen deserve respect.

Think of this as a well-earned power-up—let’s see how many other studios finally start playing fair.