Bethesda union members have organized protests after Microsoft’s latest round of layoffs totaled about 1,600 employees, including hundreds of CWA-represented game workers. OneBGS plans rallies at Bethesda studios in Montreal, Rockville (Md.), Austin and Dallas. CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. criticized Microsoft for slow bargaining and emphasized that union membership provides protections and organized power. OneBGS also urged fans to use Microsoft’s feedback portal to oppose studio closures and further layoffs.
Bethesda Union Rallies After Microsoft Lays Off ~1,600 Workers, Including Hundreds of Game Devs
Bethesda Union Workers Are Protesting Fallout 4 (2015), Bethesda Softworks, Steam
Microsoft announced another round of deep cuts this week, laying off roughly 1,600 employees — including hundreds of video game workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). In response, Bethesda Game Studios union members affiliated with OneBGS (CWA) have organized protests and rallies at the studio’s four main locations: Montreal; Rockville, Maryland; Austin; and Dallas, Texas.
Union Response And Rallies
OneBGS represents teams behind Fallout, Starfield and The Elder Scrolls. The union says the layoffs removed dozens of programmers, artists, designers and testers, many of whom had worked at Bethesda for years. OneBGS disputed Microsoft’s description that the cuts targeted "14 layers of management" and encouraged concerned fans to contact Microsoft via its feedback portal.
Company Says Restructure Is Necessary
Xbox leadership framed the job reductions as part of a broad Xbox restructuring or "reset." CEO Asha Sharma has said the division expanded too far and that studio closures and headcount reductions were needed to restore a healthy business.
Asha Sharma Announced More Layoffs Xbox Unsplash
Union Leadership Speaks Out
"Although our union signed neutrality agreements with Microsoft, we have been extremely disappointed by a company that has slow-walked our members at the bargaining table, making CWA members wait for the protections of a union contract," CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. said.
Cummings added that even where contracts remain unsettled, CWA membership still provides workers with organized power and protections. He warned Microsoft not to treat the teams that built Xbox as expendable, framing the dispute as one involving thousands of Xbox employees and hundreds of thousands of union members nationwide.
What Comes Next
OneBGS plans demonstrations at Bethesda’s offices and hopes public pressure will persuade Microsoft and Xbox leadership to reconsider further closures and layoffs. The union’s BlueSky post linked directly to a Microsoft feedback thread urging supporters to "End studio closures and stop the cycle of layoffs."
The situation remains fluid as additional announcements and responses emerge from both the company and labor organizers.
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