Unionization is slowly happening in the gaming industry. It began in the tabletop space with Paizo Publishing, the publisher behind the Pathfinder and Starfinder series, then continued in the videogame space with Raven Software. Now, one of the largest tabletop game stores in North America, Noble Knight Games, is taking their first steps towards unionization.
Noble Knight Games Workers Union
According to an official press release by Noble Knight Games, the workers are currently seeking membership with the Communications Workers of America. With the backing of the CWA, the workers intend to negotiate a contract with Noble Knight Games ownership for improved compensation and affordable benefits. They also plan to bargain for a more healthy work-life balance, fair and transparent policies and procedures, as well as viable workplace conditions and expectations.
“We absolutely love being a part of tabletop games,” stated one employee supporter. “Games bring all kinds of people together over something joyful, and we can’t imagine wanting to do anything else. We can make this an even better company by making it somewhere you can have a career. We want to make it stronger. We really care about what we do, our customers, and each other. We believe in this company. We have a lot of respect for it, and for each other. Our staff brings a lot to the table, and we want to be more valued as part of the company’s success.”
Another anonymous Noble Knight Games employee voices similar duress under the current management. “The pandemic took a physical, mental, and financial toll on our workers while the ownership saw record profits. A complete lack of paid sick days meant we were forced to use our already scant vacation time, or simply go without pay while we suffered with Covid-19.”
At the time of writing, the CWA has informed Noble Knight Games ownership of the intent of seventy percent or more of their workers to organize. They are awaiting a response by the ownership to either accept the union and begin negotiations, or to call an election.
