Ubisoft Workers Union Demand Action: Strike Called Over Layoffs and Mandatory Return to Office

Ubisoft Faces Strike Amid Major Restructuring

Ubisoft is experiencing significant upheaval as the company implements its newly announced “major reset.”This shift has prompted unions representing French Ubisoft employees, including the Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du jeu Vidéo (STJV), Solidaires Informatique, CFE-CGC, and CGT, to call for a strike. The protests arise in response to a wave of layoffs, studio closures, and a controversial return-to-office policy that ends remote work arrangements.

Strike Details and Supporting Demonstrations

The planned strike will span three days, occurring on February 10, 11, and 12, uniting Ubisoft employees worldwide in solidarity. In addition to this event, the CWA Canada is scheduled to host a rally in Halifax on January 29, 2026, to support workers impacted by the closure of Ubisoft’s Halifax studio earlier this month.

🇬🇧✊🌀 Ubisoft: enough is enough! Faced with the arbitrary decision of the CEO who doesn’t even dare talking to employees anymore, unions are calling for a strike on February 10th, 11th and 12th.

— Video Game Workers’ Union (@stjv.fr) 2026-01-28T12:10:47.000Z

Unions Critique Ubisoft’s Leadership

The joint statement from the STJV and other unions addresses the questionable decisions made by Ubisoft’s chief executive officer, Yves Guillemot. The unions argue that Guillemot, who no longer engages directly with employees, is reneging on a remote work policy that had been in place since September 2025. This leadership has been scrutinized, particularly given the company’s staggering loss of 95% of its total value over the past eight years.

In the statement, the unions express discontent about the lack of accountability from Ubisoft’s management concerning recent layoffs, including the elimination of 200 jobs at the headquarters. Earlier this week, Solidaires Informatique explicitly criticized Guillemot for his apparent disconnection from the realities of his company.

Restructuring and Its Impacts

The ongoing “major reset”has seen Ubisoft reorganize itself into five Creative Houses, integrating studios from around the globe—those that survived the overhaul. The shutdowns of the Halifax and Stockholm studios, as well as layoffs at Massive Entertainment and RedLynx, are described as part of this restructuring process. Furthermore, this shakeup has led to the loss of key talent on projects like Assassin’s Creed and The Division, prompting lawsuits citing “constructive dismissal.”

As a consequence of the reset, multiple projects have been halted, including the highly anticipated Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, while others, such as the Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Remake, have faced delays. Despite the turmoil, Beyond Good & Evil 2 remains in production, according to Ubisoft representatives.

Future Developments and Ongoing Pressure

The future remains uncertain as Ubisoft navigates the fallout from its restructuring. While French unions are pressuring the company from its home turf, CWA Canada is rallying support from the Nova Scotia government and the public, pushing for transparency regarding the Halifax studio’s closure. This scrutiny has already prompted Ubisoft to reassess the severance packages offered to affected employees.

The union has initiated a letter-writing campaign and outlined its concerns in a timeline as the Nova Scotia Labour Board investigates the situation. The outcome of these protests and investigations will likely have significant implications for Ubisoft’s operations and employee relations in the future.

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