Halifax video game workers form first Ubisoft union in North America
The Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, has witnessed a significant development in the labor landscape. Approximately 60 employees at the Ubisoft office in Halifax have collectively decided to unionize, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the video game industry in North America. This decision comes amidst growing concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and industry-wide layoffs.
Ubisoft, a global video game giant headquartered in France, has offices across the globe. The unionization process began when T.J. Gillis, a senior server developer at Ubisoft Halifax, expressed deep worries about the rapid advancement of AI in the industry. The recent closure of a Microsoft gaming studio in Halifax, known as Alpha Dog, in 2024, further fueled these concerns. Gillis highlighted the lack of support and union representation in the face of layoffs, leaving workers vulnerable and often forcing them to leave the industry.
Gillis took proactive steps by reaching out to CWA Canada, a labor union, to initiate the unionization process with his colleagues. CWA Canada already represents approximately 120 Montreal-based workers at Bethesda Game Studios, which is owned by Microsoft and renowned for producing popular video games like Fallout. The unionization effort gained momentum when 74% of the staff at Ubisoft Halifax voted to join CWA Canada, solidifying their commitment to collective bargaining.
This union marks a groundbreaking achievement as it is the first and only union within Ubisoft across North America. Ubisoft, with its global workforce of over 17,000, has already established unionized workforces in other regions. A Ubisoft spokesperson acknowledged the decision and assured full cooperation with the Nova Scotia Labour Board and union representatives.
Carmel Smyth, the president of CWA Canada, expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of Ubisoft Halifax's unionization. She revealed that other employees at tech companies are already showing interest in following suit. Smyth emphasized the importance of unions in an industry driven by the hard work and dedication of its workers.
Despite the progress, Smyth noted that the gaming industry is still evolving, and unions have yet to become widespread in North America. She highlighted the vulnerability of workers in the absence of union protection, where companies can arbitrarily decide to lay off employees. Smyth's concerns extend to the tech industry, where unionization is less common, making workers more susceptible to such decisions.
The primary goal of the Ubisoft Halifax union is to safeguard their current workplace and have a say in its future growth. T.J. Gillis expresses optimism that this union will inspire and influence other workers in North America. As the unionization movement gains momentum, it raises questions about the future of the gaming industry and the role of unions in shaping its trajectory.
