Unions call for strikes at Ubisoft studios in France to protest wages: 'We cannot tolerate being treated as expendable to mitigate their bad decisions'

Gaming IndustryUnions call for strikes at Ubisoft studios in France to protest wages: ‘We cannot tolerate being treated as expendable to mitigate their bad decisions’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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A man passes by the main entrance of Ubisoft video firm company where a strike call is planned on February 14, 2024, in Montpellier, south of France, on February 13, 2024. (Photo by Pascal GUYOT / AFP) (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (Videogame Workers Union) said in amessageposted on February 1 that during mandatory annual negotiations, Ubisoft management offered raises that were lower than the rate of inflation for the second year in a row, despite the company reporting “excellent second quarter [results], well above our expectations” in its recent first-half 2023-24financial report.

The lower-than-expected wage offer was made, according to STJV, “in order to hit arbitrary cost reduction targets.”

“A company that still makes a profit, even when its execs have failed repeatedly, choosing to have its employees pay to increase its profits is plainly unacceptable,” the union said.

The Solidaires Informatique union, which has previously clashed with Ubisoft management overworkplace harassmentand the company’sembrace of NFTs, joined the call for a strike, saying onTwitterthat “employees deserve real raises, not crumbs from the bosses.”

Solidaires Informatique said in a separate statement that the unions are demanding a general wage increase of 5%, while management is offering an increase of 2-3%, “depending on the studio.” The union claimed the offer was made “under the pretext of a senseless cost-cutting policy,” and is also intended to encourage “natural attrition” among employees.

“Lower than last year, lower than inflation, and lower than the group’s profitability,” Solidaires Informatique said in a statement. “In other words, an unacceptable proposal.

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The initial call for a strike was made on February 1, which left time for a work stoppage to be avoided via last-minute negotiations. But a Solidaires Informatique representative told PC Gamer that final pre-strike negotiations took place yesterday and “nothing happened there,” so the strike is on for February 14.

Image1of2(Image credit: Solidaires Informatique)(Image credit: Solidaires Informatique)

Image1of2

(Image credit: Solidaires Informatique)(Image credit: Solidaires Informatique)

(Image credit: Solidaires Informatique)

Solidaires Informatique leaflet calling for strikes at Ubisoft studios in France

(Image credit: Solidaires Informatique)

Solidaires Informatique leaflet calling for strikes at Ubisoft studios in France

“We cannot tolerate being treated as expendable to mitigate their bad decisions,” the unions said in a leaflet provided to employees. “Let’s take advantage of the day traditionally dedicated to passion to let our employer know that our vocation for this profession is not a pretext for treating us like furniture.”

(Image credit: Syndicat des Travailleurs·ses du Jeu Vidéo (Twitter))

Come join the picket lines tomorrow if you work at Ubisoft, or to show your support! :fist:

Strike actions like this are possible in France due to rights and protections to workers through the country’s labor laws.Mandatory annual negotiationsare legislated discussions between companies and union reps that must occur at least once a year, covering topics including wages, hours, workplace equality, and quality of life issues; the right to strike, according to thisLe Mondebreakdown (viaGame Developer), is enshrined in the French constitution, and employees are also legally protected from retribution for taking part in work stoppages.

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