Ubisoft Halifax union members agree settlement after studio closure
Unionized workers impacted by the closure of Ubisoft Halifax have voted in favor of a settlement with the Assassin's Creed maker.
The terms of the settlement, including the compensation employees will receive, is confidential.
CWA Canada Local 30111, which represents 61 unionized workers at the mobile-focused studio, negotiated the deal for its members who lost their jobs when Ubisoft shuttered the studio in January. The closure came just weeks after those employees voted to unionize.
Former Ubisoft Halifax employee Jon Huffman said the decision shocked all 71 employees at the studio, but thanked CWA Canada for helping to negotiate a settlement.
"It came as a surprise to all of us and to the front-line managers as we were in the middle of many on-going and new projects, and doing great work," said Huffman. "We are extremely grateful to our union for negotiating this package for us."
CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth said negotiations succeeded because of union solidarity. "Our members showed their resolve in holding Ubisoft to account, the collecting and sharing of information, and remaining steadfast in advocating for their rights as unionized workers," she added.
Ubisoft is currently restructuring its business around five new 'Creative Houses' and has issued a global return-to-office mandate.
The move has resulted in widespread layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations. That's despite the French publisher securing a €1.16 billion investment from Tencent in November last year.
More cuts are planned, with Ubisoft seeking to reduce its fixed cost base by an additional €200 million over the next two years.
