The United State’s biggest independent video game publisher has agreed to begin negotiations with the Communications Workers of America over the unionization of its employees at its subsidiary Raven Software.

Raven software employees voted to unionize last month, in the first such case at a US-listed game company. Workers were motivated by job cuts the company instituted last December.

Activision Blizzard Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick said, “While first labor contracts can take some time to complete, we will meet CWA leaders at the bargaining table and work toward an agreement that supports the success of all our employees.”

Activision Blizzard is being acquired by Microsoft in a deal worth $69 billion. Microsoft has said it will work with unions.

Microsoft President and Vice Chair Brad Smith wrote in a blog post that, “the workplace is changing,” and, “We respect this right and do not believe that our employees or the company’s other stakeholders benefit by resisting lawful employee efforts to participate in protected activities, including forming or joining a union.”

Previously Activision Blizzard has faced allegations of union-busting and retaliation against employees who were trying to unionize. The CWA even filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board over allegations of retaliation against employees for unionization activities.

CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffen said Kotick’s statement was a positive step in union relations. She went on to say, “We know that the management approach recommended by anti-union consultants is ineffective and detrimental. [We] hope that today’s announcement is the first of many steps towards full collaboration between ABK leadership and employees to positively shape the future of Activision through a strong union contract.”