Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has stated it does not intend to voluntarily recognize the unionization efforts of its Dungeons & Dragons and Studio X (Magic: The Gathering creative staff) employees. This marks the second time this year the company has taken this stance regarding union efforts.
The United Wizards of the Coast Union (UWOTC-CWA) announced on X that WotC informed them of this decision. The union remains committed to its goal of improving workplace conditions, stating, "We remain committed to creating a workplace focused on wellness, transparency, and collaboration by winning our coming election."
This follows a pattern of WotC's response to unionization. In June of this year, employees from the Magic: The Gathering Arena team successfully unionized. Later that month, WotC reportedly sent physical letters and daily emails to employees encouraging them not to unionize, while also implying that existing benefits could be subject to negotiation. Although WotC maintained compliance with the National Labor Relations Act, these communications were seen as discouraging union activity.
In a statement distributed to employees and shared with media outlets, WotC expressed its preference for direct engagement with employees over union representation. "We are best able to keep building great games and a great place to work by working directly with employees, not through unions," the company stated. "In this regard, Wizards is not neutral on the question of unionization… in the end, we will respect the results of the election, no matter what our employees choose."
The UWOTC-CWA is advocating for several key improvements, including fair wages, clearer career progression paths, job security, and protections for remote work. They also seek sustainable workloads, citing a need for "less regard for our personal lives." Additional concerns include healthcare improvements, protections against AI, and the ability for employees to legally own creative work developed outside of their WotC employment.
The union's position is strengthened by the significant profitability of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. According to Hasbro's financial reports, the "Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming" segment generated $568 million in operating profit in the six months prior to adjustments. This contrasts sharply with losses in other Hasbro divisions like consumer products and entertainment, highlighting the financial importance of WotC's core tabletop and digital game properties.