The Full GWU @ GDC 2019 Schedule!
Game Workers Unite is excited to announce our full GWU @ GDC schedule for 2019! We are running four sessions throughout the Game Developers' Conference as well as a chill GWU @ GDC Social Wednesday evening!
In addition, we'll have volunteers and organizers canvassing outside around the conference buildings and at a few select GDC events, so be on the lookout for folks wearing Game Workers Unite t-shirts and buttons if you want our brand new GDC 2019 Zine, GWU buttons and stickers, and to chat about Game Workers Unite and the movement to train and organize game workers in order to build a unionized industry!
Want to schedule a time throughout the conference to speak with a Game Workers Unite organizer either as a member of the press or otherwise? Please reach out to us at gameworkersunite@gmail.com.
More details about all our sessions and social below.
Embracing the Co-op Studio Model in Indie Games
Track: Indie Game Summit
Time/Date: Tuesday, March 19 at 11:20am - 12:20pm
Location: Room 2009, West Hall
Summary: Scott Benson ('Night in the Woods'), Ted Anderson ('Tonight We Riot'), Ian Thomas ('TaleSpinners'), and Steve Filby ('Motion Twin') discuss life as indie developers, share their experiences forming workers co-ops, and talk about the benefits of the co-op model for small and midsize studios.
Time/Date: Wednesday, March 20 at 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Musician’s Union Hall, 116 9th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Capacity: ~75 people at a time
Summary: Starting at 4pm we’ll have game demos and catered food. At 5:30pm we’ll have a couple speeches/announcements about GDC week and the state of labor in the industry, then an open mic session where folks can step up and vent about work, share insights, and bond with the group. After that it’s just more food, games, and good company until 8pm.
Unionizing the Game Industry: Next Steps and How Do We Get There? Day 1
Track: Advocacy Track
Time/Date: Thursday, March 21 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Room 216, South Hall
Summary: Let's talk union 101. A discussion that asks workers to share their experiences, questions, and concerns. This will be a good group discussion about what it would mean to unionize in games, how that fixes some things, what can't be fixed by unionization alone, etc. What are the core issues? As a group, participants of this roundtable will discuss and decide on what the core issues facing the industry's workers are.
Lessons from Labor Union Organizers
Track: Advocacy Track
Time/Date: Friday, March 22 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Room 2016, West Hall
Summary: Are you interested in the idea of unionization in the game industry but you have questions about it? Don't know how to resolve a workplace issue and need some advice? Join Emma Kinema (Game Workers Unite International), Kevin Agwaze (GWU UK Union), Liz Shuler (AFL-CIO), Linda Dao (SAG-AFTRA), and Justin Molito (WGAE) in this special Q&A session and have all your questions about unions and employment rights answered by a panel of experienced labor organizers from the entertainment industries.
Unionizing the Game Industry: Next Steps and How Do We Get There? Day 2
Track: Advocacy Track
Time/Date: Friday, March 22 at 11:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Room 216, South Hall
Summary: This roundtable discussion will focus on identifying common ground and achievable goals. Participants will then discuss prioritizing them by severity of problem and length of term and ultimately try to establish a plan. The roundtable will brainstorm and discuss concrete next steps, pros and cons various tactics, discuss organizing tips, training, and knowing your rights. Come make plans for the next phase of organizing as a group and an industry.
Solidarity,
Game Workers Unite