Workers at Ubisoft, the renowned video game giant, commenced a three-day strike on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in France.
The strike, driven by disputes over home working arrangements and pay, comes at a precarious time for the company, which has been grappling with poor sales and a significant decline in its share price.
Ubisoft has faced mounting pressure following a series of disappointing game releases, including titles like “Star Wars Outlaws,” “Skull and Bones,” and a new episode of “Prince of Persia.”
The situation intensified when the company announced a delay in the highly anticipated release of the latest installment of the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise, pushing its launch to next year.
This decision, combined with lackluster sales performance, has led to a more than 40% drop in Ubisoft’s share value since the start of the year, reaching its lowest point in a decade by September.
The catalyst for this week’s strike was a message from Ubisoft management in September that mandated a return to the office for all employees worldwide for at least three days a week.
This directive reignited discontent following a previous walkout in February, where hundreds of employees participated in protests over wage issues.
Unions expressed frustration over the lack of response to grievances raised during the earlier dispute, with many viewing the September announcement as “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Clement Montigny, a representative from the STJV union, emphasized that the management’s insistence on in-person work contradicted earlier commitments made to employees and disrupted their work-life balance. “It calls into question the way they organize their lives,” Montigny stated.
In a communication to employees, Ubisoft management asserted that a return to the office was essential for fostering creativity and collaboration.
They promised to allow workers some time to adjust to the new working conditions, attempting to alleviate concerns raised by the workforce.
Despite these assurances, employees expressed their dissatisfaction during the strike, which saw participation from various Ubisoft offices across France.
Reports indicated around 50 individuals picketing in Montpellier and more than 100 in Paris. According to the STJV union, over 700 employees joined the strike, mirroring the participation levels from February’s demonstrations, which were among the largest in the gaming sector’s history.
Strikers gathered outside Ubisoft’s Paris headquarters shared their sentiments with Agence France-Presse (AFP), describing a growing disillusionment with the company’s management.
Lola, a 30-year-old game designer, voiced her concerns, questioning how long it would be before layoffs and reduced ambitions became a reality. “The atmosphere is gloomy,” she remarked, reflecting the sentiments of many strikers who felt unheard by the management.
As Ubisoft navigates this turbulent period, the outcome of the strike and the company’s response to employee grievances will be crucial in determining the future workplace dynamics and overall morale within the organization.
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