CD Projekt Red Developers Unite in Response to Layoffs, Form Union

CD Projekt Red employees establish union amid multiple waves of layoffs, seeking better job security and industry preservation.

In response to CD Projekt Red’s recent series of layoffs, developers at the renowned studio have come together to form a union. The Polish Gamedev Workers Union, founded by Lev Ki and Paweł Myszka, was initiated after the company’s three rounds of layoffs this year, which affected approximately 100 employees. The union aims to address issues of job insecurity and stress among the workforce, advocating for transparency, security, and an equal voice for employees in times of crisis.

Union Goals and Initiatives:

The Polish Gamedev Workers Union, operating under the umbrella of OZZ IP, a large Poland-wide union, specifically focuses on CD Projekt Red employees. Its primary objectives include building a collective, fostering a support system, and actively working to safeguard employees’ rights while maintaining a strong negotiating stance. The union has initiated a dialogue with CD Projekt Red’s management and is currently in a trial period, with plans for a statutory meeting in mid-December to formalize its structure further.

Industry-wide Impact:

The formation of this union follows a series of layoffs at CD Projekt Red, which occurred after the studio’s recent release of the Phantom Liberty expansion for Cyberpunk 2077. This development also aligns with a broader trend in the gaming industry, where several other unions have been established in response to labor-related concerns. Microsoft recognized a ZeniMax Studios union in January, and in July, Sega of America employees successfully formed the largest multi-department union in the games industry.

CDPR’s employees form a union after three waves of layoffs, seeking security, transparency, and better protection.