A significant number of Ubisoft employees in France have initiated a strike to protest against inadequate wages, with nearly 700 workers participating in the picket line. The strike, organized by the French game workers union STJV, highlights growing discontent among employees following failed negotiations on annual salary adjustments.

The strike, organized by the Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), unfolded across multiple Ubisoft studios in French cities including Paris, Montpellier, Annecy, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
Employees convened at Ubisoft’s Annecy and Montpellier studios from 9am, with gatherings also scheduled at the Paris studio from 2pm onwards.
STJV initiated the strike in response to unsuccessful annual salary negotiations at Ubisoft, citing management’s proposal of insufficient raises that fail to meet inflation rates for the second consecutive year.
The union highlighted discrepancies between Ubisoft’s robust financial performance, as indicated in CEO Yves Guillemot’s statements, and the company’s reluctance to allocate adequate funds for employee compensation.

Representatives from the union expressed concerns about Ubisoft’s cost-cutting strategies, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing optimal working conditions and fair compensation to uphold product quality and employee morale.
A Ubisoft Paris worker underscored the significance of investing in workforce well-being and conducive work environments to foster productivity and pride in the products developed.
The strike staged by Ubisoft workers in France underscores the urgency of addressing salary disparities and advocating for employee welfare within the video game industry. As tensions escalate, both management and labor unions face the challenge of reconciling financial objectives with the ethical imperative of valuing and rewarding employee contributions adequately.

Source: Adapted from GamesIndustry.biz article “French Ubisoft workers on strike over salary“