Wizards turns down voluntary recognition of the D&D and Studio X union drive

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) said on October 6 that workers on two teams at Wizards of the Coast intend to unionise as United Wizards of the Coast-CWA: the Dungeons & Dragons team, which includes D&D Beyond staff, and Studio X, which makes Magic: The Gathering and Duel Masters. The workers asked management to recognise the union voluntarily by October 13, and CWA says they have also lodged a petition asking the National Labor Relations Board to run an election.

Wargamer reports that on October 14 the union said on X that Wizards had declined, and that a Wizards spokesperson confirmed the company does not intend to recognise either unit ahead of a vote. Wargamer also reports an email from Wizards to US staff saying the company is not neutral on unionisation but will respect the result of an election. The email cites a 20% rise in average base pay for individual contributors since 2023, which is Wizards’ own figure.

CWA says the workers cite pay, career progression, layoff protections and limits on mandatory AI use. Wargamer says the Magic: The Gathering Arena team was also not voluntarily recognised, then voted for the union with 83% in favour. Wargamer gives no election date for the D&D and Studio X units.