Approximately 60 employees of Ubisoft in Halifax, a prominent global video game company, have established the first union for the company in North America. T.J. Gillis, a senior server developer at Ubisoft Halifax, expressed concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence in the industry and the closure of Alpha Dog, a Microsoft gaming studio in Halifax, in 2024. Gillis highlighted the lack of support for employees in the industry, leading to individuals being left without assistance. This prompted his collaboration with CWA Canada to initiate the formation of a union among fellow colleagues.
The union came into existence six months after applying for certification, with 74% of Ubisoft Halifax staff voting to join CWA Canada. This development signifies the sole union presence within Ubisoft across North America, while the company has unionized workforces in other regions globally. A spokesperson for Ubisoft confirmed their acknowledgment of the Nova Scotia Labour Board’s decision and reiterated their commitment to collaborating with the Board and union representatives.
Carmel Smyth, the president of CWA Canada, noted that employees at tech companies are showing interest in following the lead of Ubisoft Halifax. Smyth emphasized the significance of unions in protecting workers’ rights, particularly in industries like gaming where personal dedication is crucial. The gaming sector in North America is still relatively new to unionization, posing challenges for worker protection and job security.
Gillis emphasized that the union at Ubisoft Halifax aims to preserve the current work environment and have a voice in its future development. He expressed optimism about influencing more industry peers in North America to pursue similar goals.