French Ubisoft workers are urged to strike due to the new return-to-office policy: "The consequences of its decision would be the loss our colleagues' jobs"

The SJTV, a French videogame union, has called on all Ubisoft workers in France to participate in a three day strike in October to protest changes to the publisher's global policy of remote work. Ubisoft told its employees earlier this week that they would be expected to work in the office at least three days per week. (via GamesIndustry.biz).

SJTV's call to strike stated that the announcement was made "without any tangible justification or consultation with the workers’ representatives." "After working efficiently for more than five years in the current remote-work environment, many of our colleagues built or rebuilt their lives, including family life, housing, parenting, etc." And simply cannot return to previous working conditions. Our employer is fully aware of this. "The decision of the company will result in the loss of jobs for our colleagues, the disorganization and chaos of many games projects, as well as a drastic increase of psychosocial risks to those who remain."

Solidaires Informatique Jeu Video, FIECI CFE CGC and Solidaires Informatique Jeu Video have all tweeted a united call to action. The strike will take place on October 15, 16 and 17.

According to SJTV's report, Ubisoft changed its policy on remote work immediately after negotiations over a profit-sharing agreement for employees collapsed. The SJTV reported that "management's proposals were unacceptable and the negotiations' timeline was appalling. Management was deaf to proposals from the various employee representatives."

The SJTV strike demands include formal agreements on remote work policies, salary increases, the restoration of profit sharing, and an agreement to respectable dialogues between management and employee representative.

The October work stoppage marks the second strike by French Ubisoft workers this year. French labor unions called a strike in February after failing to reach an agreement with Ubisoft's management on annual salary negotiations. Eurogamer reported that more than 700 Ubisoft employees from the Paris, Montpellier Bordeaux, Lyon and Annecy studios took part in a one-day strike.

French labor laws, which mandate annual negotiations between union representatives and employers, offer striking workers substantial protections. French workers are protected by the constitution from retaliation against employers who retaliate for "collective and coordinated cessation of employment in support of professional demands".

The latest strike announcement comes after a week filled with turmoil for Ubisoft. The publisher announced the delay of Assassin's Creed Shadows, and then abruptly cancelled its appearance at the Tokyo Game Show.