January 27th, 2023 was the day where Solidaires Informatique, the union representing employees of Ubisoft Paris, would have staged a strike did comply with their word but actually played nice to show good faith on Ubisoft but more strikes will come.
Axios were told by sources that back in January 27th, Solidaires Informatique representing employees of Ubisoft Paris did actually go on an official strike, but instead of making a big noise outside the building like normally a strike would include, the employees moved to the cafeteria to discuss the future of more strikes in an ease environment.
Over 40 employees started reuniting in the studio’s cafeteria and the movement took the form of a “group strategy discussion” rather than a protest.
Ubisoft Paris is declaring strike on Ubisoft after taking offense on Yves Guillemot’s message to employees after admitting to investors that Ubisoft failed on sales metrics unexpectedly and cut their outlook for the next earning report.
The message for employees basically Guillemot was urging employees to brace for difficult times and the”ball was on their court” that games in development reached their goal, all this when Ubisoft still hasn’t complied with previous workforce environment improvements.
The demands to prevent the strikes to continues includes:
- An immediate 10 percent salary increase for all staff to compensate for inflation, justified that Ubisoft can get the funds from the “millions of euros obtained from Tencent”.
- Improved working conditions and specifically the implementation of a four-day week.
- Transparency on how Ubisoft has been working to evolve its workforce locally and globally.
- Stronger condemnation of abusive managerial policies and disguised dismissals that push employees to resign.
The union confirmed and summarized the discussion on January 27th and there was a “realization” among them that “Ubisoft’s general strategy is a failure, with unachievable expectations on one hand,” and harsh working conditions on the other.
According to the union, the staff is assuming that layoffs are coming, based on Guillemot’s recent communications, as well as more managerial pressure and there is an expectation that things will get worse in the next 18 to 24 months.
Ubisoft Paris execs did not contact the strikers or the union on the day, but sent a message that strikers should avoid resorting to destruction, yes you read that right.
