Employees at Ubisoft, a video game giant, in France have gone on strike for three days, starting on October 15. The strike was triggered by a message from management in September that required all staff worldwide to return to the office for three days a week. This move has led to a dispute over home working and pay, adding to the challenges the company is already facing such as poor sales and a declining share price.
Ubisoft has been struggling with disappointing titles like “Star Wars Outlaws”, “Skull and Bones”, and the new “Prince of Persia” episode, which have failed to make an impact in the market. Additionally, the delay of the latest release of the “Assassin’s Creed” franchise until next year has made investors nervous, causing the value of Ubisoft shares to drop by more than 40% since the beginning of the year.
The strike in France is not the first one at Ubisoft, as there was a similar walkout in February over pay issues. Unions claim that the grievances aired in February were not addressed, and the recent decision to enforce in-person work has only added to the frustration. The STJV union reported that over 700 employees were participating in the strike, with picket lines forming in cities like Paris, Montpellier, Annecy, and Lyon.
Employees on strike expressed their disillusionment with the company, feeling that their voices were not being heard. A game designer named Lola, who joined the picket line in Paris, raised concerns about potential layoffs and a decrease in company ambitions. The atmosphere among the strikers was described as “gloomy” as they protested against the mandatory return to the office.
Ubisoft managers defended their decision to bring employees back to the office, stating that it was essential for fostering creativity. They assured workers that they would be given time to adjust to the new working arrangement. However, the employees remain adamant in their demand for more flexibility in remote work options and fair compensation.
The strike at Ubisoft comes at a challenging time for the company, as it continues to grapple with internal conflicts and external pressures affecting its performance in the market. The outcome of the strike and the negotiations between the management and employees will have significant implications for the future of Ubisoft and its workforce.