Ubisoft faces strike next month as French union protests over return-to-office mandate

A French video games union has called for Ubisoft employees across its France offices to strike in October over the company’s return-to-office mandate and unsuccessful profit-sharing negotiations.

According to the French union Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), the “announcement was made without any tangible justification or any consultation with the workers’ representatives.” 

The union also stated that the mandate would result in some employees losing their jobs as they’ve adapted to remote working conditions. 

“After more than five years of working efficiently in the current remote-work context, many of our colleagues have built or rebuilt their lives (family life, housing, parenthood, etc.) and simply cannot return to the previous working conditions,” said the union. 

“Our employer knows this perfectly well. The consequence of its decision will be the loss of our colleagues’ jobs, the disorganisation of many game projects, and the drastic increase in psychosocial risks for those who remain.”

“To express our anger, we call all Ubisoft employees in France to a first strike on October 15, 16 and 17. Gathering points will be announced in each studio for the 15th.” 

Demands have been laid out

The union says that its demands will ensure flexibility for employees to choose the number of remote days and when to take them, with remote days counted monthly rather than weekly. 

It also calls for restoring profit-sharing to a 60% target, eliminating the gender pay gap, and increasing low salaries.

See the union’s demands below: 

• A formal agreement on remote work: with a due process of real negotiation between management and unions.
• An immediate increase in all salaries to compensate for the drop in our living standards in recent years.
• Listening to employees’ opinions by the implementation of a “social dialogue” worthy of the name.

“We remind you, that in France, you benefit from a constitutional right to strike. The right to strike in private companies.”

“Until proven otherwise, games only exist thanks to the workers’ labour, and good games thanks to good working conditions,” said the union. 

Ubisoft’s recent setbacks 

Ubisoft has faced significant challenges recently, with investors calling for leadership changes after disappointing financial results, games underperforming and delays in key projects. 

The company’s shares have also plunged following the postponement of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. 

Due to the shares falling to a 10-year low, a minority investor in Ubisoft has called for a change in leadership and for the company to be taken private or sold.