job security Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

ZeniMax Workers United and Microsoft sign tentative labour agreement

ZeniMax Workers United has negotiated a tentative labor agreement with Microsoft that includes a 13.5 percent wage increase effective July 1st, job security protections against arbitrary termination, limitations on AI usage in the workplace, guarantees for quality assurance workers to receive credit for their contributions, and new minimum salary standards as outlined by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This agreement follows over two years of challenges and negotiations since the union's formation and comes after a vote to strike due to frustrations over contract delays.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Windows 11 setup bypass blocked, smaller Surface Pro confirmed, and Amazon raises concerns over Xbox & Surface returns

Microsoft is expected to unveil a smaller Surface Pro powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform, aimed at competing with the iPad Pro, featuring a premium metal chassis and high-quality display, with pricing projected to start between 0 and 0. Additionally, Microsoft plans to introduce a smaller Surface Laptop. The company has blocked a bypass that allowed users to set up Windows 11 PCs without a Microsoft account, which has led to the emergence of a new method involving the command prompt during setup. Certain configurations of the Surface Laptop 7 and the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 have been flagged by Amazon as frequently returned items. Bill Gates has stated that AI will replace humans "for most things," while identifying coders, energy specialists, and biologists as professions likely to remain safe from automation.

AppWizard

March 10, 2025

Rebellion’s Kingsley: “We’re just very professional with controlling scope and costs”

Jason Kingsley OBE, CEO of UK developer Rebellion, stated that the company's success in avoiding layoffs is due to meticulous cost management practices. Rebellion focuses on keeping project scopes manageable and prefers developing smaller, high-quality games rather than large, unfocused ones. Approximately two-thirds of their games are sequels or established brands, while one-third consists of experimental projects, ensuring a reliable revenue stream and fostering innovation. Kingsley emphasized the importance of job security and the company's commitment to maintaining stability and responsible growth without frequent hiring and firing.

AppWizard

February 6, 2025

App drivers plan to ‘log off’ in pay and conditions campaign

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has announced a strike involving drivers from Uber, Bolt, and Addison Lee on February 14, from 4 PM to 10 PM, across major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, and Brighton. The strike aims to address low pay and precarious working conditions, advocating for improved pay structures, job security, and safety measures like rider ID verification and complaint tracking systems. Drivers reportedly work between 70 and 80 hours a week to make ends meet. Nader Awaad, chairman of the IWGB, emphasized the need for fair compensation and criticized the industry's profits at the expense of drivers. Addison Lee expressed confidence that the strike would not disrupt services, while Uber defended its practices, stating that drivers earn at least the national living wage and receive holiday pay and pension benefits.

AppWizard

November 15, 2024

ZeniMax QA staff strike over return-to-office policy

Quality assurance personnel at ZeniMax Studios initiated a strike due to dissatisfaction with the company's remote work policies and stalled negotiations with Microsoft regarding job security and the replacement of QA staff with contractors. The Communication Workers of America (CWA) filed an unfair labor practice against ZeniMax, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Senior QA tester Dylan Burton expressed concerns about job security and the potential risks of outsourcing, while another tester, Juniper Dowell, hoped the strike would encourage Microsoft to address their demands.