Ubisoft Halifax Workers Form First North American Union

Historic Unionization at Ubisoft Halifax

In a significant development for the North American video game industry, approximately 60 video game workers at Ubisoft's Halifax office in Nova Scotia, Canada, have successfully formed a union. The Nova Scotia Labour Board officially certified the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, Local 30111, on December 18, 2025, making it the first Ubisoft union in North America.

The certification followed a vote where 73.8% to 74% of eligible employees expressed their support for unionization. This landmark decision represents a growing movement among game developers seeking greater job security and improved working conditions within the industry.

A Six-Month Journey to Certification

The path to unionization began in June 2025 when workers at the Halifax studio announced their intention to form a union and filed for certification. Initially, Ubisoft reportedly challenged some of these efforts, but after a series of hearings, the company dropped its opposition, allowing the vote to proceed in December.

Jon Huffman, a lead programmer at Ubisoft Halifax, described the certification decision as a 'huge relief' and a 'great holiday surprise'. He noted the 'really strong turnout' and 'clear response from the membership' in favor of unionizing. Senior server developer T.J. Gillis highlighted concerns over industry instability, studio closures, and the impact of artificial intelligence as motivations for organizing.

Goals and Industry Impact

The newly formed union, which includes producers, programmers, designers, artists, researchers, and development testers, aims to negotiate a collective agreement covering pay, working conditions, and job security. Workers emphasized that their decision to unionize was 'not in opposition to Ubisoft, but in partnership, with the goal of ensuring our studio remains a beacon of equity, excellence, and innovation'.

Ubisoft Halifax specializes in mobile free-to-play games, having contributed to titles such as Assassin's Creed Rebellion and the upcoming Rainbow Six Mobile. A spokesperson for Ubisoft stated that the company 'acknowledge the decision issued by the Nova Scotia Labour Board and reaffirm our commitment to maintaining full cooperation with the Board and union representatives'.

Broader Context of Gaming Unionization

The unionization at Ubisoft Halifax is part of a growing trend within the video game industry across North America. Other studios, such as Bethesda Game Studios in Montreal, also have workers represented by CWA Canada Local 30111. Carmel Smyth, president of CWA Canada, welcomed the new members, stating, 'Now let's get to work negotiating a first collective agreement that recognizes the talent and dedication of these workers'.

This development is seen as a potential blueprint for other studios, demonstrating that collective action can succeed within major multinational corporations and advocating for developer rights in a volatile sector.