In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office ignited a unionization drive. Microsoft, the new owner, eliminated a highly valued employee benefit: a dedicated, on-site doctor for employees and their families. This decision, communicated with only a week's notice, prompted swift action.

Over a hundred employees at King's Stockholm location, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, formed a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union. This followed a growing trend within the Swedish gaming industry, with companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios already having unionized workforces.

Swedish unionization differs from the U.S. model. Swedish workers can join unions regardless of company organization, resulting in a high union membership rate (around 70%). Unions negotiate sector-wide agreements, but individual company-level Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) provide additional benefits. A sufficient number of employees joining the same union can trigger a vote to establish a union board, negotiating a CBA that secures workplace-specific benefits and representation in company decisions.

Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and board member of King Stockholm's Unionen chapter, highlighted the impact of the doctor benefit removal. The doctor, highly regarded for her responsiveness and empathy, had become integral to employee well-being. The abrupt cancellation, coupled with perceived inadequacy of the offered health insurance replacement, sparked widespread discontent.

The incident galvanized union activity. A previously inactive company Slack channel dedicated to union discussions exploded with interest, growing from nine to 217 members. This led to the October 2024 formation of the King Stockholm union club. While Microsoft has publicly committed to a neutral stance toward unions, a response from the company to IGN's request for comment was not received.

The union's primary goal is not to reinstate the lost doctor benefit, but to secure a CBA protecting existing benefits and ensuring employee influence on future changes. Key areas of focus include salary, transparency in company decisions (including reorganizations and layoffs), and maintaining a positive work environment.

Timo Rybak, a Unionen Stockholm organizer, emphasized the value of employee input: "The whole idea of unionizing…is based on both parties having influence…employees helping their employer have knowledge of the everyday work." He also highlighted the importance of unionization in protecting employee rights, particularly for immigrant workers often unfamiliar with Swedish labor laws.

The King Stockholm union has already begun providing valuable information on employee rights, benefiting both long-term employees and those recently joining the company. Ultimately, the union's formation, though triggered by a negative event, aims to preserve the positive aspects of King's work culture and benefits.