Labor issues have surged quite a bit in recent years, with large, publicized strikes against a number of big bad mega-corporations. Such movements are picking up steam in the games industry as well, with unionization efforts at companies like Activision Blizzard gaining traction in the wake of worker exploitation. Now an incident is bubbling up with one of the biggest names in the business — an anonymous worker has filed a labor complaint against Nintendo of America and Aston Carter (a global hiring firm working with NoA) to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), stating the two companies are interfering with the legally-protected right to organize.
The NLRB complaint alleges that NoA/AC engaged in “Coercive Actions” and “Concerted Activities,” including Surveillance, Threats, Retaliation, and Discharge against the employee who was attempting to organize. There are few details as to the nature of what the two companies did, As much of the publicly available info is currently redacted, and the investigation has yet to be conducted. But the fact that the NLRB is listing it publicly shows that they’re taking the complaint seriously.
While said investigation could exonerate Nintendo and Aston Carter, if it did turn up anti-union behavior it would likely lead to public blowback from many fans and commentators who have been focused on workers’ rights in the industry. It’s still too early to state anything definitive, however, for the time being it’s a situation fraught with tension, and we’ll have to see what comes as a result. Stay tuned for updates whenever they come to light.
Leave a Comment
Written by Amelia Fruzzetti
A writer and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When not working for NinWire, she can be found eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering about when Mother 3 is finally going to get an official localization.
