Wizards of the Coast has let the United Wizards of the Coast deadline tick past without voluntarily recognising the union, and instead brought in Fisher Phillips, a labour law firm best known for helping companies stay union-free. For more than 100 MTG Arena designers, programmers, artists and producers who signed the petition, that means the fight now heads to the National Labor Relations Board.
Looking for board gamers near you? Browse local communities and find your next game night.
Find events near youThe union, organised through the Communications Workers of America, announced itself on 27 April and gave Hasbro until 1 May (International Workers' Day) to grant voluntary recognition. Their asks are not exotic: layoff protections, sustainable workloads, defined career progression, a say in how generative AI is used, and a reversal of the recent return-to-office mandate. Principal software engineer Jon Brichoux, a 20-year WotC veteran, told Wargamer the RTO push was the catalyst, but staff had felt insecure ever since the recent round of layoffs.
WotC's public statement said the company was "committed to fostering a workplace where every person feels heard, valued, and supported" and that it was reviewing the filing. The NLRB case file tells a less neutral story: the legal representatives now listed for WotC are Alex Desrosiers and Jack O'Connor of Fisher Phillips, a firm whose marketing pitch openly centres on keeping employers union-free.
Stop juggling Meetup, WhatsApp, and spreadsheets. One platform for your gaming group's events, RSVPs, and member management.
See how it worksVoluntary recognition would have ended the matter quickly. Instead, the next chapter is procedural. The NLRB will run a secret-ballot election among eligible workers in the Arena bargaining unit, typically a few weeks after the petition is filed, and a simple majority for UWOTC certifies the union. Fisher Phillips will be on the other side of that table. MTG players have not taken the news well; Reddit threads are floating an Arena boycott, and the union is asking fans to add their names to the public petition at the United Wizards of the Coast site.
If you play Arena, draft at your LFGS, or just want the people building the game to have a stable place to work, this one is worth following.
Sources: Wargamer | Star City Games | MTG Rocks | The Gamer
