Nintendo of America President: “Everyone Has the Right To Form a Union”

Inverse sat down with Doug Bowser to talk about the release of 'Super Mario Bros. Wonder,' the future of the Nintendo Switch, and the state of the industry.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

I agree everyone has a right to form a union for sure.

[porkChop]

As terrible as unions really are, the game industry clearly needs them.

[DarXyde]

Meanwhile, there's a sizable positive correlation between unionization rates and middle class health.

It's almost like, in the absence of collective bargaining, employers will extract benefits and pay themselves while keeping worker wages low and keeping them in a state of perpetual dependence until you bring them to heel with by withholding labour.

Strange how that works.

There are corrupt unions. Of course there are. But they are a net positive.

[porkChop]

I agree that unions have positives and I know that they're a necessity. I'm just saying that they aren't the perfect solution that some have made them out to be. Unions offer employees some much needed protection but they also create new problems.

[DarXyde]

porkChop,

In a perfect world (in my view, anyway), every workplace functions like a co-op where workers own their labour and the workers have the ability to fire their supervisors. Based on performance. I think that would go a long way in keeping the workplace humble and honest.

We don't have that kind of workplace democracy however. Does it politicize the workplace? No more than it is already, the difference is that you have a micro-democracy instead of a micro-dictatorship.

In the absence of that, we've got unions. They are not the ultimate goal, but they are the best we can hope for in the current climate. It would be like the US receiving UK-style universal healthcare. I think that would be the best solution, but we're likely going to have to settle (for now) for a half measure (M4A or a public option).

[Godmars290]

"I'm just saying that they aren't the perfect solution that some have made them out to be."

Only there are too many examples that waiting for companies to fairly treat their employees is only going to be a long wait.

[porkChop]

Agreed, though I never suggested that anyone should wait for anything.

[jznrpg]

Unions are great for employees who plan on staying at a job for a long time or for life. The dues are negligible to what you gain long term. For short term employees it makes less of a difference but generally pay and benefits are better even for short term employees.

[Darkegg]

It’s the eternal problem not unique to just gaming. It’s the abuse at both extremes. It’s a problem where those who make lots of money abuse power. Unions, being a subscription, are unnaturally compelled to do something rather than be a shield to be wielded when necessary. The correct path is to be in the middle in regards to the right mindset and action. For example, in healthcare I had bosses who were tyrannical in leadership. That didn’t work. I have a new boss who is polar opposite and let employees dictate the pace. Again a failure. In either case I have been a hard worker and both bosses had minimal impact on my productivity. Both bosses don’t have issues with me because I do what’s right. Not motivated by more money or what I can get away with. My behavior is that of my own will bc it’s just good for society. When we change our goals less about money and more about what’s wholesome.. the focus changes and life becomes easier to tolerate. Live by being, not doing. And be happy. This isn’t really the cycle for video games to thrive given the state of the world so if one isn’t fulfilled with life working for gaming company I suggest switching careers that of what ppl need than want.. switch to healthcare. It’s not lucrative but u may feel more comfortable. Otherwise pick a career where u want to better the community on more fundamental ways. It will feel good to help others than fight about consumeables that frankly have limited value to life. And that’s the real way to strike against game industry with the greed i so hear about the top executives. When u walk away and nobody works.. that seems to be the way given how severe the life is for average employee. It seems working for video games is imbalance of life and an unhealthy one. It will continue as long as we allow it .. customers and the workers. Video game work culture needs a serious overhaul and yes the greed of the top executives need infrastructure change to disallow them from taking money the way they do. Maybe change how their salary is appraised. That seems to be a huge distortion whoever decided that. If they abuse workers and make them work under pressure slaving away 80-100 hours a week only to be fired for sake of their personal salary.. that is flat out wrong. Activision looking at you.

[anast]

Everyone has the right to hire a middle man instead of directly changing things...Bowser knows what's up. Nintendo has got some real pros running that ship.

[Concertoine]

Was gonna say, Nintendo workers seem to have it pretty good by industry standards. You dont often hear about layoffs or studio closures at Nintendo.

[jznrpg]

But companies will fight it with a lot of money and propaganda

[Inverno]

"Everyone has a right, but doesn't mean we'll make it easy for ya to do so muahahaha"
I don't necessarily mean Nintendo, just companies in general these days.

[aaronaton]

Step 1 - Join a Union
Step 2 - Demand payrise or the whole company strikes.
Step 3 - Company aims to now produce low risk, zero innovative products as the overheads are now higher.
Step 4 - Product ships and flops dramatically, huge redundancies/job losses.
Step 5 - Rinse and repeat.