Unions representing Ubisoft employees in France have called for a large-scale international strike in February, escalating opposition to the company’s restructuring plans, return-to-office mandate, and sweeping cost-cutting measures.
The coordinated action follows Ubisoft’s announcement of a major internal reorganisation, which includes studio closures, project cancellations, and a mandatory five-day return to on-site work for all employees.
Five Unions Call For February Walkout
Five French unions, STJV, Solidaires Informatique, CGT, CFE-CGC, and Printemps Écologique, are urging Ubisoft staff worldwide to down tools from February 10 to February 12. Some union communications describe the action as extending into February 13, depending on local participation.
In a joint statement, the unions described the strike as a response to what they see as unilateral decision-making by management that disregards employee rights, existing agreements, and workplace wellbeing.
🇬🇧✊🌀 Ubisoft : enough is enough! Faced with the arbitrary decision of the CEO who doesn’t even dare talking to employees anymore, unions are calling for a strike on February 10th, 11th and 12th.
— Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (@stjv.fr) January 28, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Restructuring, Cancellations, And €200 Million In Cuts
Last week, Ubisoft confirmed a sweeping overhaul of its studio structure, reorganising development under five new “Creative Houses.” While framed internally as a creative reset, the announcement immediately triggered project cancellations, studio closures, and fresh concerns about long-term job security.
The restructuring has already led to the cancellation of six games, including the long-delayed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, alongside multiple unannounced projects that were reportedly deep into development. Several studios are also set to close, with further consolidation expected as the new Creative House model takes effect.
Beyond internal disruption, the market reaction was swift and severe. Ubisoft’s share price fell as much as 33 percent following the announcement, marking one of the steepest drops in the company’s history. Investors reacted not only to the cancellations and closures, but also to Ubisoft’s confirmation that it plans to double down on generative AI initiatives despite mounting backlash from developers and players alike.
The company has also outlined a €200 million cost-cutting plan, which unions argue places the financial burden disproportionately on employees. As part of this effort, Ubisoft has launched a voluntary departure programme targeting 200 roles at its Paris headquarters, a move unions say is effectively a layoff strategy under another name.
Anger Over Return To Office Mandate
A central point of contention is Ubisoft’s decision to end remote work and require all staff to return to the office five days a week. Union representatives argue the move ignores agreements negotiated over the past year, with some studios having formal remote work policies in place since September 2025.
In their statement, the unions accused management of treating workers “like children who need to be supervised,” calling the mandate an arbitrary rollback of established working conditions.
Claims Of No Consultation Or Dialogue
Union leaders say employees learned of the restructuring, studio closures, and end of remote work at the same time as the media, despite mandatory consultations with worker representatives taking place only days earlier.
The statement directly criticises CEO Yves Guillemot, claiming senior leadership has failed to take responsibility for what unions describe as “catastrophic management” and a breakdown in constructive dialogue.
International Impact Remains Unclear
While labour protections in France make coordinated strike action more feasible, participation from Ubisoft’s international studios is less certain. Many of the company’s largest teams, including those in Canada, are not unionised, making strike involvement riskier for employees outside France.
The strike dates also coincide with Ubisoft’s next quarterly financial report on February 12, a timing unions suggest is intentional.
Whether the walkout will gain significant traction beyond France remains to be seen, but union leaders have framed the action as a line in the sand. “Without us,” the statement reads, “Ubisoft would never have conquered and transformed video games as it has. We are Ubisoft.”