King workers to strike in Sweden following rejection of collective bargaining agreement

GamesIndustry.biz reports that King’s Swedish workforce is facing a strike after Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer filed notice following the studio’s rejection of a collective bargaining agreement. Mediation is still underway, but if no deal is reached, employees are expected to walk out on September 25.

The dispute matters beyond one studio because the agreement would cover core employment terms in Sweden, including pensions, insurance, working hours, and worker influence over conditions. Unionen says its members want greater say over workplace terms and stronger job security, while other unions — Naturvetarna, DIK, and Akademikerförbundet SSR — have said they intend to strike in solidarity.

King says it already offers fair and competitive terms and believes its benefits meet or exceed what a CBA would provide. The company has also argued that entering a CBA would force changes to its operating model, processes, and benefits structure in Sweden.

For developers, this is another reminder that labor relations can directly affect studio operations, scheduling, and retention, especially in regions with strong collective bargaining traditions. The exact scope of any disruption hasn’t been disclosed, but the outcome could influence how other Swedish game teams approach union negotiations.