Blizzard staff win AI safeguards and recall protections in union contract

Blizzard Entertainment workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) ratified a two-year contract covering about 1,900 employees across major Blizzard teams, securing pay raises, a three‑day hybrid work schedule, grievance procedures and disability accommodations. A centerpiece of the deal requires Blizzard to discuss, evaluate, and bargain with the union before introducing any AI tools. The agreement also guarantees 14 months of recall rights after a layoff and adds four weeks of severance pay, arriving amid broader Microsoft/Xbox studio layoffs in July.