Paradox Interactive and the labour unions representing its employees have reached a deal and will soon sign a collective agreement, the unions announced today in a press release published on Paradox’s site. Unionen and SACO, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations, have reached a collective bargaining deal that covers Paradox employees working in its Swedish studios.
“Much like Paradox itself, the unions here have been growing massively in the past few years, gradually becoming more and more organised,” said Magne Skjæran, a programmer working on Crusader Kings III and a union representative for Unionen. “We’re very glad that the company agrees with us on the benefits of a collective agreement and that we’re signing this together. WIth this agreement in place, we will be further empowered to advocate for our members here at Paradox, and contribute to making it the best place to work in the industry.”
The agreement makes it possible for employees at Paradox to bargain collectively, with union backing, for changes to company standards, salary expectations, and career growth opportunities. It covers workers at Paradox Interactive in Sweden, Paradox Development Studio, Paradox Arctic, and Paradox Malmö.
Employees at Paradox offices outside Sweden, such as the new studio in Barcelona, are covered by local labour laws and trade organisations, and will therefore need their own agreements with the company.
I'm thrilled to be part of announcing that Paradox Interactive will be signing a collective agreement.
We've been working towards this for a long time now, and it is so great to see it come to pass.
I hope this will inspire organizing at other companies.https://t.co/pSu9A2s146
— Magne Skjæran (@Meneth_) June 3, 2020
Skjæran says he hopes the Paradox agreement inspires more games workers to collectively organise their workplaces.
“With this agreement in place, we will be further empowered to advocate for our members here at Paradox, and contribute to making it the best place to work in the industry,” he said. “We hope it will inspire people to organise in videogame companies the world over.”