EA Workers Union Condemns Proposed Saudi-Backed Private Buyout Employees at Electronic Arts who are part of the Communications Workers of America union have released a strongly worded statement opposing the planned private acquisition of the company by a group of Saudi-backed investors. The primary complaint from workers is not centered on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, but on the fact that employees had no representation during the negotiations for the massive fifty five billion dollar deal. The unionized staff expressed deep concern that any job losses resulting from the purchase would be a deliberate choice to enrich investors, not a business necessity. Alongside their formal statement, the workers have launched a public petition urging government regulators to conduct a thorough examination of the proposed acquisition. The statement from the workers emphasizes that EA is a financially successful company, a success they attribute directly to its workforce. They point out the contradiction that the people whose jobs are at risk were completely excluded from the buyout discussions. The statement also calls attention to the widespread layoffs that have plagued the video game industry in recent years, warning that when private equity or billionaire investors take a company private, workers invariably lose transparency and leverage. The workers are calling on regulators and elected officials to ensure any approved deal protects jobs, preserves creative freedom, and maintains accountability to the employees who build EA’s games. They state that the true value of video games lies in their workers and that they are standing together to prevent corporate greed from dictating the industry’s future. Reports indicate that the deal is not expected to face significant regulatory opposition. One factor cited is the involvement of Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Trump, leading to questions about which regulator would be willing to challenge the deal. The proposed acquisition, valued at fifty five billion dollars, would take EA private for the first time in its thirty five year history. The buying consortium includes the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the investment firm Silver Lake, and Kushner’s Affinity Partners. The deal has also drawn concern from US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, who have voiced worries about foreign influence in the acquisition. The union’s action highlights a growing trend of worker organization within the tech and gaming sectors, as employees seek a greater say in corporate decisions that directly impact their livelihoods and the future of their industry.
