For once, the FTC is considering a merger that helps the workers

[Omaha Steve]

https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/3762122-for-once-the-ftc-is-considering-a-merger-that-helps-the-workers/

BY CHRIS SHELTON, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR - 12/05/22 10:45 AM ET

The coming decision about whether to allow Microsoft’s merger with Activision Blizzard to move forward is a bellwether for American antitrust policy. By approving this merger, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the opportunity to make a strong statement in favor of economic democracy and provide a blueprint for an enforceable remedy to protect workers from large employers abusing market power to undercut wages and working conditions.

Labor considerations have for too long been absent from antitrust decisions even though the potential harms to workers as the result of mergers are evident. From the start, President Biden made clear that things would be different on his watch. Restoring the American middle class by strengthening unions has been a top priority for his administration, and the president issued an executive order calling on the Department of Justice and the FTC to strengthen antitrust guidelines to address labor market concerns, with a particular focus on the tech sector.

Microsoft was well aware of this changed antitrust climate when it announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard, knowing that regulators would be taking a close look at the transaction’s potential impact on workers. It was in this context that we were able to negotiate an unprecedented labor neutrality agreement, which, if the merger is approved, would allow workers at Activision to freely and fairly make a choice about union representation.

Union representation and collective bargaining agreements are the most powerful tools workers have to balance power between themselves and corporations which have too much control over our economy, our democracy and our work lives. Having a strong democracy doesn’t just mean electoral democracy, although that is essential and not something to be taken for granted. It also means having more democratic workplaces, with workers collectively, through their union, negotiating contracts and holding corporate power accountable.

FULL story at link above.

[MichMan]

1. Does the agreement guarantee zero jobs will be consolidated or eliminated?

There are almost always some redundancies in mergers.