GamingLabor

Blizzard Development Teams Vote to Unionize With CWA, Joining Thousands of Activision Blizzard Colleagues

Workers from Blizzard’s Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble teams have voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. The move represents the latest development in growing labor organization across the video game industry as Microsoft reportedly recognizes the union.

Blizzard Development Teams Unionize

More than 100 developers working on Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble have voted to unionize with the Communications Workers of America, according to reports. The workers, including software engineers, designers, artists, quality assurance testers, and producers, will join CWA Local 9510 in Irvine, California.

GovernmentPolicy

Former Industry Lobbyist Set to Lead EPA Chemical Safety Division, Prompting Health Concerns

Douglas Troutman’s expected confirmation would mean the top four positions in EPA’s chemical safety division are held by former industry lobbyists. Environmental advocates warn this could reverse recent progress on toxic chemical protections and endanger public health.

Industry Backgrounds Dominate EPA Chemical Safety Leadership

The U.S. Senate is reportedly preparing to confirm Douglas Troutman, a current industry lobbyist, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical safety and pollution prevention office, according to sources familiar with the nomination process. If confirmed, analysts suggest this would mean all four top positions in the agency’s toxics office would be held by former chemical industry lobbyists, raising significant concerns among public health advocates.