ZeniMax Workers United, a union of over 300 quality assurance workers in Texas and Maryland, has voted to authorize a strike amid ongoing contract negotiations with Microsoft. The vote, which passed with an overwhelming 94% in favor of authorization, does not necessarily mean that workers will go on strike immediately, but it gives the union the permission to call a strike if negotiations break down.

The authorization comes after two years of contract negotiations between the union and Microsoft, with workers citing concerns over pay, benefits, and working conditions. Specifically, the union has expressed frustration over the company's return to office policies and outsourcing practices, which they claim have negatively impacted employees. "Our in-house contractors have been working on minimal wages with no benefits, including no paid sick time," said associate QA tester Aubrey Litchfield in a press release. "Workers are choosing not to start families because of the uncertainty of finances."

This is not the first time that ZeniMax Workers United has taken action against Microsoft. Last year, the union participated in a one-day strike to protest the company's policies, and it seems that the issues have not been fully addressed. The strike authorization is the latest escalation in the ongoing dispute between the union and management, and it remains to be seen how Microsoft will respond to the union's demands.

ZeniMax Workers United is one of several unions under the Microsoft umbrella, and it is part of a growing trend of unionization in the video game industry. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) recently launched the United Videogame Workers, a nationwide direct-join union open to any worker in the industry. The unionization efforts are seen as a response to the industry's growing concerns over worker exploitation, crunch time, and lack of job security.

The implications of the strike authorization are significant, not just for ZeniMax Workers United but for the entire video game industry. If the union is able to negotiate better pay, benefits, and working conditions, it could set a precedent for other unions and workers in the industry. On the other hand, if the negotiations break down, it could lead to a prolonged strike that could impact Microsoft's operations and reputation.

Microsoft has yet to comment on the strike authorization, but it is likely that the company will be under pressure to respond to the union's demands in the coming days. As the dispute continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the video game industry as a whole.