ZeniMax Workers United, a union of approximately 300 quality assurance testers, has gone on a one-day strike to protest remote work and outsourcing policies at Bethesda's parent company, Microsoft. The strike, which involves workers in Texas and Maryland, is a response to the company's failure to address employee concerns regarding flexible work arrangements and contracting out work.

The union, which was recognized in January 2023, is demanding that Microsoft meet them at the bargaining table to discuss key issues, including remote work options and outsourcing. This strike is the latest in a series of labor actions in the video game industry, with workers pushing back against companies' attempts to roll back flexible work policies instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The strike is significant, as it highlights the growing trend of labor organizing in the tech and gaming industries. With the Communications Workers of America (CWA) supporting multiple video game unions in the US, including ZeniMax Workers United and Activision Quality Assurance United, the industry is likely to see more labor actions in the future. Microsoft has responded to the strike, stating that it respects its employees' rights to express their views and will continue to listen to and address their concerns at the bargaining table.