The French Video Game Workers Union (STJV) has called for staff at Ubisoft France to strike over a return-to-office order and a pay dispute.
Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) has officially called for a strike at Ubisoft France over what it describes as unfair policies instituted by the company. STJV stated, “Management just announced its decision to impose a return to offices for 3 days per week for all employees. This announcement was made without any tangible justification or consultation with the workers’ representatives,” marking the primary reason behind the impending strike. This policy comes after nearly five years of Ubisoft workers growing accustomed to the remote work model currently in place. STJV argues that the move is a ploy for the company to cut jobs.
Ubisoft has had a rocky week, first dropping out of its planned slot at the Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS 2024), then announcing that Assassin’s Creed Shadows would be delayed from its original release date to February 14, 2025. Meanwhile, the $UBI.PA stock option has fallen over 40% in the past month, according to Google Finance.
The STJV alleges that “many of our colleagues have built or rebuilt their lives (family life, housing, parenthood, etc.) and simply cannot return to the previous working conditions. Our employer knows this perfectly well,” adding, “The consequence of its decision will be the loss of our colleagues’ jobs, the disorganization of many game projects, and a drastic increase in psychosocial risks for those who remain.”
The STJV plans to organize a strike of Ubisoft employees at its France location from October 15 to 17, unless the company agrees to resolve ongoing pay disputes in addition to the newly instituted 60% in-office return-to-work order. The STJV’s demands are as follows:
- A formal agreement on remote work, with a due process of real negotiation between management and unions.
- An immediate pay increase for all employees to compensate for a “drop in our living standards.”
- An agreement that a “social dialogue” between employees and management can commence.
As of this posting, Ubisoft has not responded to the strike announcement from the STJV.
