Former Playtester To Receive Settlement Payment From Nintendo Hiring Agency

Following on from former playtester Mackenzie Clifton’s recent account of their dismissal, recruitment firm Aston Carter has agreed to pay the fired Nintendo contractor a settlement of $25,910.00. Senior reporter at Kotaku Ethan Gach shared the update on Twitter earlier today.

Clifton filed a complaint against the recruitment agency and Nintendo of America back in April, accusing the companies of union-busting tactics. The settlement agreement, which is public viewable and available to download here, specifies the damages fee from Aston Carter and also stipulates that Nintendo of America will have to post notice in its offices and email a copy of the notice in English to employees.

The notice addresses workers’ rights in North America and states that all employees have the right to join, form, assist, or support a union, and pick a representative.

Clifton’s recent account claimed that the tester asked NOA president Doug Bowser about unionisation in the games industry during an online meeting with many other playtesters, which was not answered directly. The company has been criticised a number of times this year for its treatment of contracted and part-time workers.

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