Double Fine Productions is the latest Microsoft subsidiary to unionise
Double Fine Productions, the Psychonauts studio, has filed a petition with the NLRB and is asking Microsoft for voluntary recognition of a union covering 42 part-time and full-time employees. The move is backed by the CWA, which says the goal is to protect creative excellence, diversity and inclusion, and worker quality of life.
Developers should care because this is another data point in Microsoft’s broader labour story: since 2022, multiple subsidiaries have unionised under the company’s neutrality framework. That framework expired in October 2025, and workers at other studios are already talking about whether a new agreement is needed to keep organising smoother. The article also notes that negotiations at Microsoft have stalled in other places, so recognition is only the first step; the harder part is getting a first contract.
“to preserve and extend the studio's commitments to creative excellence, diversity and inclusion, and worker quality of life.”
- what
- Double Fine Productions filed to unionise and is seeking voluntary recognition from Microsoft.
- who
- The proposed union covers 42 part-time and full-time employees, backed by the CWA.
- when
- The NLRB petition was filed on May 7; Microsoft-CWA neutrality agreement expired in October 2025.
- impact
- Signals continued union activity across Xbox/Microsoft studios and may influence how other teams approach organising and bargaining.
Positive for worker organizing, but contract talks remain stalled.
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