Microsoft Goes ‘Pro-Union’ – Likely in an Attempt to Win Some Love with the FTC

Has Microsoft ever given a position before on their stance regarding unionisation within the tech and/or gaming world? I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I’ve always just presumed that Microsoft has always basically done whatever best suited Microsoft’s interests (which may or may not, incidentally, coincide with their employees).

Following a report via WCCFTech, however, it appears that Microsoft is very much pro-union now as the tech giant took out a full-page advert in a major news publication declaring that they’re very much in favour, specifically of game developers in this instance I should note, of them forming their own employer empowering organisations.

Why? Well, it’s just my opinion, but it appears that they’re basically trying to make themselves look as cute and cuddly as possible to a likely very pissed-off FTC!

Microsoft Backs Game Dev Unions

The move is clearly one directed towards the FTC and their current investigation into whether they will decide to approve Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision/Blizzard. – Some of you may be wondering why they have decided to make this declaration now though. Well, unionisation within the gaming development industry is a undoubtedly very hot topic at the moment with the vast majority of publishers mostly seeming to err towards preferring their staff to not get involved and/or distracted by such pesky matters.

Heaven forbid they should have a union which might bring an end to entirely expected things within the industry such as crunch and unpaid overtime!

Getting back on track though, given that only earlier this month Microsoft decided to basically play the sovereign citizen card with the FTC, I personally suspect that this is a little damage control on Microsoft’s part in order to, you know, make them seem like they really are good guys here.

Of course, though, making an announcement like this may also win them some friends among the Activision/Blizzard staff who, so far, have been surprisingly quiet on the takeover subject. Well, at least to my knowledge!

What do you think though? Do you think this move will win Microsoft any points with the FTC? Do you think the FTC will approve or disapprove the takeover deal? – Let us know in the comments!