Workers at Ubisoft Halifax, recognized for their contributions to mobile gaming, have successfully voted to unionize, marking the establishment of the first union for the French publisher in North America. A recent report from CTV News indicated that a significant majority, 73.8 percent of the branch’s 61 employees, cast their votes in favor of unionization.
Lead programmer Jon Huffman described the vote outcome as a “clear response from the membership” and expressed a sense of “huge relief,” noting that this decision has initiated conversations about unionization among other Ubisoft branches. He mentioned receiving outreach from colleagues expressing their surprise and support for the Halifax union.
The certification process for the union at Ubisoft Halifax commenced last year, but the official vote was delayed due to Ubisoft’s initial challenges. After several hearings, the company ultimately withdrew its challenges, allowing the count to proceed. Support has also flowed in from European Ubisoft unions, particularly those in France, reinforcing the solidarity among employees.
Ubisoft Halifax’s unionization comes on the heels of similar developments in the gaming industry, including the recent unionization of id Software, a subsidiary of Bethesda, and controversies surrounding Rockstar’s alleged union-busting efforts after layoffs of employees involved in union activities.
The move also comes in the context of recent layoffs at Ubisoft, which affected teams at studios like Massive Entertainment and RedLynx. Additionally, the company’s plans regarding its flagship series, such as the decision not to release a second expansion for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, suggest a period of restructuring.
The success of the Halifax branch in unionizing raises intriguing questions about the potential for other Ubisoft studios to follow suit. Given the increasing job insecurity prevalent in the industry, unionization may provide crucial support for employees seeking better working conditions and job stability. The evolving landscape of labor in gaming continues to unfold, and it will be interesting to see how these developments influence the broader industry.