In a new approach to corporate-union engagement, Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have announced a ground-breaking labour neutrality agreement that will make it easier for employees at games developer Activision Blizzard to unionise.

The agreement, believed to be the first of its kind in the tech sector, will apply 60 days after Microsoft’s $70bn acquisition of Activision closes, and means workers will not need to apply to petition the National Labor Relations Board for an election.