Press Release:
Milwaukee, October 20, 2023 – Workers at Experis, owned by ManpowerGroup, Inc, announced their intention to unionize with District 10 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Approximately 42 Test Associates and Software Test Engineers who work at the Milwaukee, WI location cited serious workplace problems that they want to see addressed through collective bargaining and through the dignity that comes with a voice at work. Today they filed a petition for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board.
The workers at Experis, who are responsible for quality assurance and troubleshooting of newly developed video games, face a multitude of chronic, industry-wide issues and seek improvements in several areas including pay, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and workplace health & safety issues.
Securing a living wage is a top priority for the workers involved in the organizing drive, who recognize that stable, family supporting jobs are the bedrock of a healthy Milwaukee community. Many were drawn to their jobs at Experis because of their desire to work in the video game industry, only to be faced with burnout and a struggle to cover basic living expenses. Other problems that Experis workers want addressed by management are the frequency of misleading information provided by job recruiters and the lack of clear communication channels to address workplace issues.
Concern over working conditions among Test Associates and other workers in the video game industry have led to a wave of recent union organizing among tech industry workers in the United States and globally. By securing a seat at the table through a collective bargaining agreement, the workers in Milwaukee are looking forward to working with Experis to achieve increased transparency, security, and better protections at work. Under the recent Cemex decision that was released by the National Labor Relations Board, the workers at Experis are excited to participate in a union election free from employer-induced fear, intimidation, and misinformation that is so commonly a part of an anti-union campaign.
About the IAM – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in aerospace, transportation, manufacturing, shipbuilding, woodworking, and other industries. To learn more, visit www.iamawd10.org or contact Alex Hoekstra, Directing Business Representative at hoekalex@yahoo.com or (920) 210-7754.