The newly formed union, United Wizards of the Coast, represents over a hundred employees at Wizards of the Coast, located in Renton, Washington. Announced on Tuesday, the union aims to enhance working conditions for the team behind Magic: The Gathering – Arena, an online version of the popular card game.
The union's formation comes in response to various workplace issues, including a return-to-office mandate, wage disparities, and extensive overtime, often referred to as "crunch." These concerns were intensified by unexpected layoffs at Wizards that occurred in December 2023.
According to Rogue Kessler, a Digital Product Manager at Wizards, these labor discussions intensified over the past year, driven by fears of job insecurity and management's push for AI integration without proper guidelines. The union seeks to negotiate better conditions not only for its members but also for the broader gaming industry.