Activision Blizzard is actively discouraging Raven Software program QA staff from voting in favor of unionization, forward of an ongoing election with a deadline of Could 20.

In keeping with a Washington Submit report, Raven administration has been sending staff messages and holding city corridor conferences concerning the election, together with an April 26 city corridor the place staff had been advised that unionization may hurt recreation growth and impression promotions or advantages.

Following that occasion, an e mail was reportedly ship round to staff with a graphic hooked up that learn, “Please vote no.”

The Nationwide Labor Relations Board accredited the unionization vote in late April, following an prolonged backwards and forwards between high quality assurance employees and administration starting final 12 months after Activision Blizard laid off round a dozen QA contractors unexpectedly.

Following a walkout in protest, Raven Software program moved to unionize, submitting a petition with the NLRB when Activision Blizzard didn’t voluntarily acknowledge their union by the set deadline. Ballots have been mailed out to eligible QA employees with a deadline of Could 20 and a deliberate poll rely on Could 23 over video convention.

The Complete Raven Software program QA Unionization Timeline: The Story So Far

All that is occurring whereas Activision Blizzard stays below heightened authorized scrutiny from numerous different instructions, together with the SEC (associated to its pending acquisition by Microsoft), varied New York Metropolis funds, in addition to a number of ongoing lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and unequal remedy of ladies staff.

Rebekah Valentine is a information reporter for IGN. You’ll find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.