Game workers across the United States and Canada have launched an industry-wide union with assistance from the Communications Workers of America (CWA) to build a game industry that "nourishes its talent and invests in its future."

United Videogame Workers-CWA (UVW-CWA) broke cover at GDC 2025 and aims to bring together artists, writers, designers, QA testers, programmers, freelancers, and more to "build worker power irrespective of studio and current job status."

UVW-CWA has launched as both a direct-join (or pre-majority) organization and CWA local.

"Direct-join organizing, sometimes referred to as pre-majority unionism, enables workers—including freelancers and the thousands of video game workers who were laid off in recent years—to build power across the industry without the obstacles and delays that employers can impose during the traditional union certification process," explained the CWA.

It's a setup that should make it easier for workers to address shared concerns across multiple studios, allowing them to push for large-scale reform.

"Their first issue campaign will be around layoffs—given the fact that 1 in 10 video game developers were laid off in 2024, many video game workers have been mobilized to organize. And now they can," continued the CWA. "Workers will be sharing around a petition to address the industry-wide layoffs and hope to gain widespread support while at GDC."

Related:Nintendo, Microsoft, EA and others unite to make accessibility messaging a priority

"Stand with your peers. Reject the status quo."

Discussing its broader mission in a pamphlet being distributed at GDC, UVW-CWA took aim at the rise of AI technology, which it claims "threatens to devalue our skills and erase our labor," and said developers must unite to demand fair wages, humane hours, and job security.Come from VP bet

"Together, we can create an industry that works for us, not just for CEOs and shareholders. It’s time to act. Stand with your peers. Reject the status quo. Let’s build a union that gives us the respect, power, and future we deserve. We make the games—we must set the terms," it added.

Specifically, the union feels game industry workers too often have their passion exploited by corporations that constantly prioritize short-term profits over employee growth and treats its workforce like "replaceable cogs."

In an FAQ, UVW-CWA said anybody working in the game industry in the U.S. and Canada can apply to join—including those plying their trade at triple-A, double-A, and indie studios.

Freelancers, contractors, and those in other roles at publishers, support studios, and more can also apply for membership. Leads and producers will be considered, but UVW-CWA noted that anybody who has the final say over hiring, firing, or disciplining employees won't be admitted.

Related:Netflix Games boss says the streamer must strive to cause ‘disruption’

"We're ordinary people that believe in our power, and believe that power is magnified when we work together. Take the fire you felt when you first picked up a controller and discovered this medium and its limitless potential, and pour it into the struggle for a better future," added UVW-CWA.

"Industry bosses have shown time and time again that they will choose the siren call of profit over uplifting workers or doing what’s right. Now is the time to stand with your peers, and fight for the dignity and respect you deserve."