In early 2024, a significant change at Activision Blizzard's Stockholm office, under new owner Microsoft, unexpectedly ignited a unionization drive. The removal of a highly valued employee benefit – a private company doctor – prompted over 100 employees to form a union club with Unionen, Sweden's largest trade union.

This action reflects a unique Swedish union landscape. Union membership is widespread (approximately 70%), and the legal framework is generally more supportive of unions than in many other countries. While national-level collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) cover many aspects of employment, forming a company-specific union club allows for negotiation of additional workplace benefits and influence over company decisions. This follows a growing trend in the Swedish games industry, with similar unionization efforts at companies like Paradox Interactive and Avalanche Studios.

The catalyst for the King Stockholm union was the abrupt termination of the private doctor service, a benefit highly valued by employees. While replacement health insurance was offered, it lacked the personal touch and accessibility of the previous arrangement. This sparked widespread discussion and a surge in union membership, transforming a previously inactive Slack channel into a hub of activity.

The union's initial interactions with Activision Blizzard HR have been described as "neutral," aligning with Microsoft's publicly stated neutral approach to unions. While regaining the lost doctor benefit is unlikely, the union aims to secure a CBA to protect existing benefits and address other concerns, such as salary transparency, information sharing regarding company reorganizations and layoffs, and overall workplace influence.

Unionen organizer Timo Rybak highlights the value of employee input, emphasizing the unique perspective that workers bring to company decisions. He also notes the importance of unionization in educating employees, particularly immigrant workers, about their rights. The King Stockholm union has already proven beneficial in this regard, facilitating the sharing of information and empowering employees to advocate for themselves.

For Kajsa Sima Falck, an engineering manager and union board member, the union's formation is about preserving the positive aspects of their workplace culture and benefits. It's a response to change, aiming to ensure employee voices are heard and their interests protected in the future.