CWA Canada Union demands answers from Ubisoft over Halifax studio closure

The gaming giant is facing allegations of labor law violations following its sudden decision to shutter its East Coast operations.

CWA Canada has issued a formal demand to Ubisoft and its legal counsel, seeking the disclosure of internal records and correspondence concerning the closure of Ubisoft Halifax. The move to dissolve the Nova Scotia studio was announced this week—strikingly, less than a month after the majority of its workforce voted to unionize.

Union leaders have labeled the timing of the announcement as highly suspicious. CWA Canada asserts that Ubisoft was obligated to consult with staff regarding the impending layoffs and provide a transparent justification for the shutdown.

“In typical mass layoff scenarios, employers share their strategic plans with the union confidentially before making a public declaration,” stated Carmel Smyth, President of CWA Canada. “Why were these Canadian workers blindsided? Why are they being treated differently than their colleagues in Europe?”

Ubisoft has defended the closure as a necessary step for “organizational restructuring” and “enhanced efficiency.” CWA Canada, however, maintains that the burden of proof lies with the company to demonstrate that the decision was purely economic rather than a retaliatory strike against organized labor.

The union has vowed to “exhaust all available legal avenues” to protect the affected employees. Additionally, the organization is calling on Ubisoft to prioritize the displaced workers for open positions at its other global locations, including Montreal, Toronto, the United States, and Europe.

Furthermore, CWA Canada pointed out that Ubisoft Halifax has benefited from approximately $11 million CAD in taxpayer-funded tax credits from the Nova Scotia government over the last eight years. The union contends that accepting such significant public support entails a higher level of social responsibility toward the local labor force.

Source: iXBT.games