**Swedish Developers of *Candy Crush* Reach Milestone with New Collective Bargaining Agreement**
In a pivotal moment for the gaming sector, Swedish developers at King, the studio responsible for the widely-loved mobile game *Candy Crush*, have successfully secured a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with management under Activision Blizzard. This agreement follows over a year of discussions and is scheduled to commence on April 1, 2027, thus preventing a forthcoming strike that was about to begin.
The announcement was made via a press release from the Swedish union Sveriges Ingenjörer (Engineers of Sweden). Together with Unionen, the two entities achieved an accord with King management that lays out better working conditions and rights for staff. Major aspects of the agreement include greater chances for employees to shape their work environment, the right to organize, and prompt updates concerning any changes that might affect their roles, such as reorganizations or alterations in work circumstances.
In a message dispatched to union members, King leadership stressed that the agreement was crafted to reduce uncertainties amongst employees and indicated a dedication to ongoing discussions as they gear up for the agreement’s rollout in 2027.
Traditionally, the labor landscape in Sweden permits workers the liberty to join trade unions relevant to their professional fields. Nevertheless, the developers at King formed what is known as a “union club” to negotiate more tailored terms that better cater to their specific needs. Before this agreement, King management had publicly refused to endorse a CBA, arguing that their current benefits were more advantageous to employees.
Considering the hesitance exhibited by management, trade unions Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer, along with three additional associations—Akademikerförbundet SSR, Naturvetarna, and DIK—proposed a strike at King. This planned action was set to commence if a resolution had not been achieved before the strike’s start. Following mediation efforts, the unions reached an agreement with management.
The strength of collective action among employees was evident throughout this process. Camilla Frankelius, head of negotiations at Sveriges Ingenjörer, commented on the importance of the engaged workforce at King in bringing this agreement to fruition.
In response to the announcement, King’s COO, Ulrika Höjgård, declared that the anticipated strike had been formally called off and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to encouraging dialogue between management and the workforce. She mentioned that the agreement would be adjusted according to King’s operational requirements and underlined the significance of collaboration ahead of the agreement’s effective date.
This agreement signifies a considerable triumph for workers in the gaming industry, underlining a rising trend towards unionization and collective bargaining in tech sectors, which have historically been influenced predominantly by management decisions. The successful negotiations not only favor the developers at King but also establish a benchmark for upcoming labor dialogue within the gaming industry as companies increasingly acknowledge the importance of employee input and participation.
