ZeniMax Workers United Achieves Juneteenth Holiday Recognition for Microsoft's Global Gaming Studio Employees

(Rockville, MD)— In a landmark victory for workers' rights, CWA-ZeniMax Workers United is pleased to announce that employees at Microsoft's ZeniMax video game studio will now receive an additional Personal Day, which can be used to observe Juneteenth or another significant date. This achievement follows persistent negotiations with Microsoft management, leading to the recognition of this important federal holiday.

Upon reaching the agreement for the additional Personal Day, ZeniMax management implemented the new policy for employees worldwide. Additionally, contractors who will transition to employees once the full collective bargaining agreement is ratified will also enjoy a paid day off on Juneteenth. This milestone is a crucial step in the workers' ongoing efforts to ensure fair treatment and acknowledgment for all ZeniMax employees.

To commemorate Juneteenth and support the ongoing contract negotiations, CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. and members of CWA-ZeniMax Workers United will host a rally in Rockville, MD, starting at 10 a.m. EDT on Juneteenth. Simultaneously, workers at the Austin, Texas, location will celebrate this victory and honor the legacy of Juneteenth.

Beyond securing Juneteenth as a holiday for the global ZeniMax workforce, the union has also successfully reinstated Christmas Eve (December 24th) as a paid holiday for union members.

"Recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday was a top priority for our union members, and we are thrilled that our collective efforts led to this positive change for all ZeniMax employees. This is the essence of union solidarity: taking collective action to improve our workplace. We continue to negotiate with the company on other issues and look forward to finalizing our first union contract soon," said Veronica Martinez, Contract QA Tester and member of CWA-ZeniMax Workers United.

On January 3, 2023, ZeniMax QA workers in Maryland and Texas made history by becoming the first video game studio union at Microsoft. The workers organized their union under the terms of CWA’s pioneering labor neutrality agreement with Microsoft. CWA-ZeniMax Workers United represents over 300 quality assurance workers at Microsoft's subsidiary, ZeniMax Media.