An open letter spanning 20 pages, crafted with the aid of a Video Game Workers Union (STJV), unveiled the grievances voiced by members of the Spiders game studio regarding their purported ill-treatment. Spiders’ administrative body, however, refuted these claims, labeling them as false and slanderous, with potential repercussions on the company’s welfare.

Over the past few months, Spiders’ management has been actively engaged in negotiations with staff representatives in a bid to reach a consensus. Regrettably, the dialogue between management and STJV has hit an impasse owing to “the extreme stances put forth by the STJV.” Yet, today, management convened all employees to disclose the outcomes of these discussions and the ensuing decisions.

Primarily, a hike in wages has been put into effect. While a 6.1% increase in fixed salaries was implemented in 2023, further raises will kick in by September 2024. The minimum wage at Spiders saw an ascent of 11%, surpassing the union’s request, given that the average surge stands at 3%. Talks for the 2025 remunerations will kick off towards the year-end.

Furthermore, the management-union accord has laid down new regulations that will impact most staff members and fall in line with the existing customs at Spiders. It has been affirmed that “there are no plans to alter the current remote working setups of employees on a full-time basis. Management has pledged to refine its initial proposition.”

In a progressive move, Spiders’ management has declared an impending audit focusing on the working conditions and ambiance, encompassing an evaluation of psychosocial hazards. This theme and assessment will be integrated into the management’s agenda for the forthcoming plenary assembly of the Works Council.

Adding to these guidelines, the management at Spiders has publicized its plan to conduct an inspection on the working conditions and environment, along with a review of psychosocial hazards. This subject matter and evaluation will be incorporated into the management’s schedule for the subsequent plenary session of the Works Council.

Managing the caption, the Spiders administration reinforced the idea that all employees “are under continuous contracts and the studio observed an increase in its workforce in 2023, affirming its allure in the sector.” In 2023, Spiders notched a rating of 94/100 on the gender equality index, with management vowing to ensure impartial treatment for every employee or candidate.

To seal the statement, the Spiders management “stresses that the prevailing work conditions within the studio do not align with the depiction provided by certain media sources attempting to disrupt the company.” As per the statement, the call for a strike was heeded by only a minute segment and to a limited extent. “Management entrusts the sense of responsibility of each individual to uphold the quality of dialogue it values and has nurtured in recent times for the forthcoming days.”

With the release of this open declaration by Spiders, it remains to be seen if the union representing the Spiders workers will issue a public response or if they are content that their requisites have been met satisfactorily.