How the Removal of a Private Doctor Sparked a Union at the Developer of Candy Crush

In early 2024, a seemingly small change at Activision Blizzard’s Stockholm office—the removal of a popular employee benefit—unexpectedly ignited a powerful unionization effort. Microsoft, Activision Blizzard’s new owner, announced the elimination of a free, private doctor service for employees and their families, a benefit highly valued since its introduction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This abrupt change, with only a week's notice, prompted widespread discontent among staff who relied heavily on this service.

IGN learned that this event catalyzed the formation of a union club at King’s Stockholm location, with over one hundred employees joining Unionen, Sweden’s largest trade union, last fall. The group aims to secure a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to protect employee rights, working conditions, and benefits.

Swedish unionization differs significantly from the U.S. model. Membership is readily available to eligible workers regardless of company-level organization, resulting in approximately 70% union participation nationwide. Unions negotiate sector-wide agreements on issues like salaries and sick leave, while individual membership offers additional benefits. However, forming a union club and securing a CBA provides workplace-specific advantages, including a voice in company decisions. This mirrors a growing trend in the Swedish games industry, observed at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager at King and a board member of the King Stockholm Unionen chapter, highlighted the previously low-key union presence within the company. The catalyst, she explained, was the termination of the highly valued private doctor service. While a replacement health insurance plan was offered, it lacked the personal touch and immediate accessibility of the previous arrangement. This sparked widespread discussion, revealing a lack of employee bargaining power in the absence of a CBA.

The resulting surge in union interest led to a rapid increase in membership, ultimately culminating in the official formation of a union club in October 2024. While Microsoft has publicly committed to a neutral approach toward unions, the King Stockholm union is focused on securing a CBA to protect existing benefits and address concerns about salary transparency, information sharing regarding company reorganizations and layoffs, and overall workplace influence.

Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, emphasized the importance of employee input in shaping the workplace. He highlighted the value of employees sharing their firsthand experiences and knowledge with management to create a more equitable and productive environment. The union also provides valuable education on employee rights, particularly beneficial for the diverse international workforce at King.

For Falck and her colleagues, the union’s formation represents more than a response to a single policy change; it’s about preserving the company culture and benefits they value, navigating the changes brought about by the acquisition, and ensuring a stronger voice for all employees at King Stockholm.