King Employees in Sweden Threaten Strike Over Stalled Contract Talks
Swedish unions representing Candy Crush developer King have filed a strike notice after years of unsuccessful bargaining, with a walkout set to begin September 25 unless mediation succeeds.
Employees at Candy Crush Saga developer King in Sweden could walk off the job as soon as next week. Unions Unionen and Sveriges Ingenjörer say their members have spent years trying to secure a collective bargaining agreement with the studio, without success.
The strike notice follows King leadership's rejection in August of a proposed contract. The company argued its existing global benefits package already exceeds what a new agreement would offer, including for its Swedish staff.
Union demands
In a LinkedIn post, Unionen said its members deserve secure working conditions, a voice in the workplace, and clear rules that apply equally to everyone, which is why it is issuing formal strike notice. Sveriges Ingenjörer echoed that message, stating the strike will take effect on September 25 unless a mediator can help union members and King reach an agreement beforehand.
A strike notice does not guarantee a work stoppage will actually happen — the threat alone is often enough to push management back to the negotiating table.
Part of a larger Microsoft picture
King has been owned by Microsoft since its 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Just days before this notice, Blizzard Entertainment workers ratified their first union contracts, securing wage increases, a hybrid work schedule, and "just cause" protections.
That outcome, combined with King's status as one of Microsoft's most reliable earners in gaming — Candy Crush Saga alone generated $875 million in 2025 — adds further pressure on the ongoing negotiations.
