‘Creativity flourishes when workers feel secure:’ Ubisoft Halifax workers file to unionize

Employees at Assassin’s Creed Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile developer Ubisoft Halifax are attempting to unionize with media union CWA Canada in search of security in an increasingly tumultuous industry.

CWA Canada shared the news and explained a majority of the mobile studio’s 60 person workforce including programmers, designers, artists, researchers, and testers signed union cards.

The union filed with the Nova Scotia Labor Board on June 18 and is expected to order a secret ballot vote soon. Following certification, Ubisoft Workers of Canada Halifax will become a wall-to-wall bargaining unit.

The news comes roughly a year almost 120 employees at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal joined CWA Canada, while unionization continues to gather pace at major studios across North America. 

Ubisoft Halifax senior server programmer Thomas Gillis said unionizing is essential if workers want to “protect what we have today and to fight for our tomorrow.”

“With no end in sight to the industry-wide turbulence that sees studios shutter on releasing games fans love, it is up to us, the workers, to organize and demand a say in our labour, art and future,” he added.

Ubisoft Halifax workers say unionizing will give them ‘meaningful voice’

A mission statement shared by Ubisoft Halifax workers emphasized they are not unionizing “in opposition to Ubisoft,” which has come under fire in recent years for allegedly fostering a toxic workplace culture and laying off employees, but to ensure the studio “remains a beacon of equity, excellence, and innovation.”

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“Ubisoft Halifax has long been shaped by values we deeply admire. Our studio proudly reflects near-gender parity, a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and a culture of inclusion. We are aligned with Ubisoft’s vision of colleagues, culture, content, and community, and we believe our union will reinforce these pillars,” reads the mission statement.

“Through collective action, we can ensure that all workers, especially those from historically marginalized communities or in undervalued roles, are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect,” reads the mission statement. “This commitment to equity is not new. We’ve shown it through our leadership and participation in Ubisoft’s Employee Resource Groups, and it resonates through every level of our studio, from our most senior staff to our newest team members.

“Unionizing gives us, the workers, a meaningful voice among decision-makers, a voice that will help shape the future of Ubisoft Halifax and the industry at large. Together, we will continue to build timeless experiences for players and forge a modern, compassionate, and resilient workplace for all who contribute to our craft.”

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CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth said the organizing workers at Ubisoft Halifax are “part of a generation that is making life at work so much better for everyone.”