SEGA OF AMERICA UNION WORKERS RATIFY NEW CONTRACT

Sega of America's union, AEGIS-CWA, has successfully ratified their first contract with Sega, securing significant worker rights less than a year after being formally recognized. The new contract boasts benefits like raises for all employees, Just Cause protections to prevent arbitrary discipline and discharge, layoff protections with added severance, and a standardized grievance procedure. Additionally, the contract ensures that all workers will be credited in the games they help create. This agreement comes in the wake of Sega's decision to lay off 61 staff earlier this year due to outsourcing, an event that led to successful negotiations by AEGIS-CWA to secure severance and job retention. Unionization trends are growing within the gaming industry, as evidenced by similar movements at major companies like Activision and Zenimax.

What does 'Just Cause' protection mean for Sega of America's employees?

'Just Cause' protection ensures that Sega of America's employees cannot be disciplined or discharged without a fair and valid reason, giving them a level of job security that is significant in the perpetually shifting landscape of the video game industry.

Sega, known for classic franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog and newer titles like the Yakuza series, has been a major player in the gaming industry for decades. The ratification of this contract by Sega of America's AEGIS-CWA union marks a notable development in labor rights within the video game industry, which has historically been fraught with issues like crunch time and layoffs. This move could inspire further unionization efforts across the industry, paving the way towards improved working conditions for video game developers and other employees.