For good or for ill, there is without a doubt more Magic (The Gathering) in the world than ever before: more Magic sets released each year; more forums for crafting decks; more tournaments; more card drops; an ever-present opponent to play against thanks to the digital version of the game, Magic: The Gathering Arena; and more Magic nights at local game shops.

As Hasbro and its subsidiary Wizards of the Coast bring in record-breaking revenue through continuously expanding the commodification of our hobbies, workers at New York City’s local game shops have taken a stand by unionizing. In doing so, they are fighting the persistent anti-union narrative that to do work one is passionate about is adequate compensation unto itself.

In mid-2023, workers at the Upper East Side location of Hex&Co. approached management with a list of concerns: baristas were still paid only the minimum tipped wage, employees faced abuse from managers, and safety issues were often neglected. Management dismissed these concerns and jokingly told employees that they should “unionize if they wanted to be heard so badly.” Soon after, with the help of Workers United and the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee, they did just that, forming Tabletop Workers United (TWU).