EA Workers, Union Protest $55 Billion Acquisition, Cite Lack of Representation
Employees of Electronic Arts (EA) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union have publicly opposed the proposed $55 billion private acquisition of the gaming giant, alleging they were excluded from negotiations and expressing concerns over potential job losses.
The acquisition, announced in late September, is backed by a group of private investors including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners, the firm led by Jared Kushner. Workers argue that despite EA’s strong financial performance – reporting $7.5 billion in annual revenue and $1 billion in profit – their voices were absent during discussions about the company’s future. “If jobs are lost or studios are closed due to this deal, that would be a choice, not a necessity, made to pad investors’ pockets,” the statement released today reads. This deal comes amid a wave of consolidation in the gaming industry, raising questions about the future of creative control and labor practices.
The union’s statement emphasizes that EA’s success is “driven by company workers” who fear for the stability of studios that may be deemed “less profitable.” They are calling on regulators and elected officials to thoroughly scrutinize the deal to protect jobs, preserve creative freedom, and ensure accountability. A petition has been launched to support their efforts, aiming to “make video games better for workers and players – not billionaires.” Concerns have also been raised regarding the source of funding, with Human Rights Watch pointing to potential human rights implications linked to the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) declined to comment on the pending acquisition when contacted, and reports suggest the deal may face limited regulatory opposition. The future of EA and its studios, divided between EA Sports and EA Entertainment, remains uncertain as the acquisition process unfolds.
Regulators are expected to continue their review of the proposed acquisition in the coming weeks, with workers awaiting a response to their petition and calls for increased scrutiny.
