Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 7d

What a good pupper.

Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

What the public doesn't see behind the scenes of a unionization effort is the often literal years of organizing from the workers. The announcement at the end is the tip of the iceberg of what it took to get there.

So hats off to the ZA/UM workers for unionizing, you are all incredible.

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

I am so, so inspired by the workers at ZA/UM who unionized. This is such a fantastic step for @gameworkers.co.uk in the UK. Our first recognized union!

www.gamesindustry.biz/after-layoff...

After layoffs, cancellations, and controversy, ZA/UM UK staff unionise as the Workers' Alliance

"We like being here. We want to continue being here. So let's try and get a seat at the table in the big management meetings."

www.gamesindustry.biz

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

What the public doesn't see behind the scenes of a unionization effort is the often literal years of organizing from the workers. The announcement at the end is the tip of the iceberg of what it took to get there.

So hats off to the ZA/UM workers for unionizing, you are all incredible.

10 58

Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Axel حسن Taiari @shevek.bsky.social · 8d

On a personal note:

1. We fucking did it. I am so proud of everyone involved.
2. Unionizing is a goddamn fight, regardless of any, ah, "diplomatic" coverage on the matter. This is a general observation, unrelated to today's news -- of course.
3. UK devs: your turn. DMs are open if you need help.

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

Aww thanks. You all did an incredible job, I'm really happy that you're able to share with the world how fucking cool it is.

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

It's pretty great. :)

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Eryk ☭ (but make it Red Scare for Halloween) @peregrinecoast.press · 8d

What a week!! So glad this is finally out there - I spent much of my time at the IWGB supporting the workers at ZAUM with unionising and them getting the *first recognition in the UK videogame industry* is such a historic win. So fucking happy!!

GamesIndustry.biz @gibiz.bsky.social · 8d

The ZA/UM Workers' Alliance - a new union set up to represent a subset of UK-based employees at the company - discusses how it wants to help staff feel safe and comfortable in their jobs

www.gamesindustry.biz/after-layoff...

After layoffs, cancellations, and controversy, ZA/UM UK staff unionise as the Workers' Alliance

"We like being here. We want to continue being here. So let's try and get a seat at the table in the big management meetings."

www.gamesindustry.biz

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Axel حسن Taiari @shevek.bsky.social · 8d

The workers at ZA/UM Studio have unionized.

First recognised games union in the UK, too. May many others follow.

www.gameworkers.co.uk/workers-at-z...

Workers at ZA/UM Announce Landmark Recognition Agreement - IWGB Game Workers

Video game developers at ZA/UM Studio, represented by the IWGB (Independent Workers Union of Great Britain) have today announced their formation of a union at their workplace. After a negotiation proc...

www.gameworkers.co.uk

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Barbara Yaga @thecharleswebb.bsky.social · 8d

So. You see it can be done.

Which of you badasses is going to organize with your homies and unionize YOUR workplace?

www.gameworkers.co.uk

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

I am so, so inspired by the workers at ZA/UM who unionized. This is such a fantastic step for @gameworkers.co.uk in the UK. Our first recognized union!

www.gamesindustry.biz/after-layoff...

After layoffs, cancellations, and controversy, ZA/UM UK staff unionise as the Workers' Alliance

"We like being here. We want to continue being here. So let's try and get a seat at the table in the big management meetings."

www.gamesindustry.biz

10 38

Reposted by Austin Kelmore

IWGB Game Workers Union @gameworkers.co.uk · 8d

🙌The first recognised union for game devs in the UK! 🙌

Workers at ZAUM now have a say on their pay and conditions at work with the support of the @iwgbunion.bsky.social

Work in games in the UK? Join our union today: iwgb.org.uk/en/join/game...

GamesIndustry.biz @gibiz.bsky.social · 8d

The ZA/UM Workers' Alliance - a new union set up to represent a subset of UK-based employees at the company - discusses how it wants to help staff feel safe and comfortable in their jobs

www.gamesindustry.biz/after-layoff...

After layoffs, cancellations, and controversy, ZA/UM UK staff unionise as the Workers' Alliance

"We like being here. We want to continue being here. So let's try and get a seat at the table in the big management meetings."

www.gamesindustry.biz

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Emiliano Mellino @mellino.bsky.social · 8d

🚨 Our new investigation out today reveals how thousands of people who've taken their bosses to employment tribunals & won, never got paid, even after they approached the government for help.

This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...

Thousands of rogue bosses get away with not paying tribunal awards

The government scheme ‘enforcing’ money owed to workers has been unsuccessful in a staggering three-quarters of cases

www.thebureauinvestigates.com

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

I've longed for a minor superpower which allows me to not have to sleep just so I can have more time.

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

Your art is so good.

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 8d

They have never been serious about running things well. Never.

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

😂

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

This is such a niche joke and I love it.

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Game Worker Solidarity @gameworkersolidarity.com · 9d

#OtD 1 Oct 2023 Formation of Polish Gamedev Workers Union https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2023-10-formation-polish-gamedev-workers-union

Workers at CD Projeckt S.A. formed the Polish Gamedev Workers Union, part of OZZ Inicjatywa Pracownicza (Polish Trade Union Workers Initiative), a grassroots union. They are aiming to raise concerns about employment conditions and safety, as well as unionise the Polish games industry.

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

I am simultaneously horrified at what's going on in the games industry and also I am absolutely loving how many people are becoming radicalized by it all.

There are way more of us than them and we can absolutely do something with that collective power.

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

Unions aren't perfect because unions are just collectives of people and people are messy and complicated.

But they're worth dealing with all that mess because the alternative is not being a union and that's just silly.

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 9d

i was invited to a gathering tonight and initially wasn’t gonna go because every extra thing feels like so much these days but i made myself go and i’m so glad i did because it turns out community is so fucking important right now

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

Unions aren't perfect because unions are just collectives of people and people are messy and complicated.

But they're worth dealing with all that mess because the alternative is not being a union and that's just silly.

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Reposted by Austin Kelmore

back to saying I’m Jesse @killgoldfish.bsky.social · 9d

unions are scary until you realize it's literally hanging out with your buds and making plans for how to continue hanging out with your buds

Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

Unions were a scary thing for many people 7 years ago (myself included).

It's incredible how much people have come to realize how important and powerful they are.

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Austin Kelmore @austinkelmore.com · 9d

I even see executives and CEOs say that workers should unionize (even if they often mean everywhere else except their own company).

That's how much things have changed.

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