Nintendo is the latest video game developer hit by union-busting allegations. in a report Axiosa former employee alleges that Nintendo and its recruiting and staffing partner, Aston Carter, fired them after engaging in protected organizational activity.
In a presentation to the National Labor Relations BoardA summary of the charges against Nintendo include:
- Engage in surveillance or create the impression of surveillance of employee union activities
- Firing an employee for engaging in protected activities, such as discussing wages and other terms and conditions of employment
- Firing an employee because they joined or supported a labor organization
Nintendo isn’t the only video game company competing with the NLRB. Quality control employees in crow softwarea subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, recently formed his own union and are now awaiting a formal vote overseen by the NLRB. Activision Blizzard has been accused of anti-union several times after sending emails asking employees to “consider the consequences” to sign union cards and give raises to all QA employees except Raven they are working toward unionization.
Outside of gaming, companies are beginning to offer raises to employees in hopes of curbing the rising tide of unionization. Last week, Verizon shared that increase your minimum wage to $20 an hour shortly after a store in Seattle voted to unionize.
The NLRB will investigate these claims and decide whether Nintendo is guilty of labor violations.