After hitting a deadlock in final negotiations, labor unions in France are calling for a one-day strike by employees at Ubisoft studios in the country due to what they describe as inadequate wage increase offers aimed at compensating for management failures.
The Videogame Workers Union, known as Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), stated on February 1 that during mandatory annual negotiations, Ubisoft management proposed raises that fell below the rate of inflation for the second consecutive year. This comes despite the company’s recent financial report for the first half of 2023-24 showing “excellent second quarter results, well above our expectations.”
STJV alleges that the lower-than-expected wage offer was made “in order to hit arbitrary cost reduction targets.”
“A company that still turns a profit, even after repeated executive failures, choosing to have its employees foot the bill to boost its profits is simply unacceptable,” the union remarked.
Joining the call for a strike, the Solidaires Informatique union, which has previously clashed with Ubisoft over workplace harassment and the company’s adoption of NFTs, asserted on Twitter that “employees deserve substantial raises, not mere tokens from the bosses.”
According to Solidaires Informatique, the unions are demanding a general wage increase of 5%, while management is proposing an increase of 2-3%, “depending on the studio.” The union claims that this offer was made “under the pretext of a senseless cost-cutting policy” and is also aimed at promoting “natural attrition” among employees.
“Lower than last year, lower than inflation, and lower than the group’s profitability,” Solidaires Informatique stated. “In other words, an unacceptable proposal.
“Last year, employees already ‘made an effort’ by accepting a deterioration in their living conditions. Let’s face it: in management’s eyes, the decline in our standard of living is no longer a bug, it’s a feature.”
The initial call for a strike was issued on February 1, providing an opportunity for a work stoppage to be avoided through last-minute negotiations.
However, a representative from Solidaires Informatique informed PC Gamer that final pre-strike negotiations occurred yesterday and “nothing happened there,” confirming the strike.
“We cannot tolerate being treated as expendable to mitigate their bad decisions,” the unions conveyed in a leaflet distributed to employees.
“Let’s seize the day traditionally dedicated to passion to remind our employer that our dedication to this profession does not justify being treated as mere objects.”
Such strike actions are feasible in France thanks to the rights and protections afforded to workers under the country’s labor laws. Mandatory annual negotiations are legislatively mandated discussions between companies and union representatives that must take place at least once a year,
covering topics such as wages, working hours, workplace equality,
and quality of life issues. The right to strike, as outlined in the French constitution, and legal safeguards against retaliation for participating in work stoppages provide further support to employees.