In a groundbreaking move, employees at Sega of America have made history by ratifying a union contract, marking a significant milestone for the gaming industry.
The new contract, as reported by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, will provide benefits to approximately 150 employees working in the marketing and other departments at the company's Southern California offices. These employees, both temporary and full-time, will receive a yearly pay increase of 4% in 2024, 3% in 2025, and 2.5% in 2026, among other advantages.
Sega localization editor and AEGIS-CWA member, Em Geiger told Polygon, "One of our most notable items is our grievance process. There's extra security knowing we have in place a system for bringing issues to the table, such as arguing Just Cause in a potential layoff." This highlights the importance of having mechanisms in place to address concerns and protect workers' rights within the gaming industry.
The negotiations between SEGA of America and AEGIS-CWA were described as challenging, particularly due to the mass layoff of temporary employees. Geiger emphasized the impact of these layoffs on support numbers and morale but acknowledged the successful negotiation of severance packages for affected employees.
With this historic move, Sega of America sets a precedent in the gaming industry, potentially paving the way for more unions and improved working conditions for employees across the sector. The commitment to fair treatment and transparency exhibited in this contract serves as a positive example for the industry.
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