**Union Election Controversy at Wizards of the Coast Relating to Deadnaming**
In recent times, Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), the entity behind the beloved game *Magic: The Gathering Arena*, has encountered significant criticism regarding its treatment of transgender staff members during a union election. Claims suggest that the company deadnamed several transgender employees during a pivotal moment in their efforts to unionize, inciting anger and worry among the workforce.
The scenario developed as employees prepared to cast their votes in a union election. WOTC initially aligned with the employees pushing for unionization on a voting process that would feature both in-person and mail-in voting avenues. A roster of qualifying employees was given to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which typically permits the use of chosen names for voting purposes. However, the roster provided by WOTC contained the legal names of employees, including the deadnames of transgender individuals, which became publicly visible on an internal website related to the election.
Xib Vaine, one of the employees impacted by this decision, shared their experience of finding their deadname on the list when a colleague brought it to their attention. Vaine likened the breach to having their personal images shared among coworkers, emphasizing the emotional toll of their identity being overlooked. In response to the backlash from this incident, WOTC took down the list and switched to sending individual emails to inform eligible voters, but did not revise the list with the NLRB.
Throughout the in-person voting phase, many transgender employees had to disclose their legal names to an NLRB official in front of their colleagues, leading to a highly uncomfortable situation. Although a subsequent voting session attempted to honor privacy, the core issue persisted with the list provided by WOTC.
In reply to questions from the media, WOTC issued an apology, citing a miscommunication concerning the use of legal names instead of preferred names. They reaffirmed their dedication to supporting their employees but did not specify the “legal process” that required the use of legal names, especially considering the NLRB had previously accepted preferred names in other scenarios.
The actions taken by WOTC were met with pain and disappointment from numerous transgender employees, who observed a notable difference between the encouraging culture within their team and the choices made during this election. Employees communicated concerns that these errors illustrate a rift between the company’s higher-ups and the everyday realities of its staff.
In an all-hands meeting, studio leadership offered apologies for the incident, which some staff members viewed positively. Nonetheless, the situation underscored persistent issues in communication and the recognition of transgender employees’ identities, which could jeopardize the supportive setting fostered within *Arena*.
As WOTC employees continue their unionization journey, which originally started with a formal declaration for unionization, the response from management and the subsequent steps taken will be crucial in shaping the incorporation of inclusive practices within their workplace atmosphere. The union vote results are expected to be revealed on June 23, following the conclusion of mail-in ballots.
