The situation surrounding the recent closure of Ubisoft Halifax continues to get messier. Just one day after filing a legal complaint with the Nova Scotia Labor Board, CWA Canada, the union representing 61 of the 71 employees let go by Ubisoft, revealed that they met with the company on Wednesday.
However, the meeting, they say, resulted in no progress.
CWA Says Ubisoft Came Without Documents
In a statement provided to Insider Gaming, CWA President Carmel Smyth said that the meeting on Wednesday morning was “disappointing”
“Ubisoft came to the table with nothing,” she said. “No documentation proving financial distress, and no plan to find work at other Ubisoft operations or increase severance.”
She added that they brought up the concern of those being out on parental leave being told that they wouldn’t qualify for the proposed two-month severance pay. But, instead of any progress towards a solution, Ubisoft reportedly told the union they will send their ideas on Friday.
“It was frustrating,” Smyth said. “Their lack of preparation along with the fact that they gave no advance notice of the closure, makes us question their intentions and their commitment to treating people fairly.
“We continue demanding real information, and to get the answers and the compensation you deserve after 10 years with this company.”
In addition to the statements on the meeting, the union sent a release claiming that Ubisoft received nearly $1 billion (C$980 million) in government tax credit subsidies from 2020 through 2024.
Insider Gaming has reached out to Ubisoft for comment on where things stand and its view on the meeting. As of writing, multiple requests have gone unanswered. Should a response be received, it will be added to this story.
What do you make of the latest between Ubisoft and the CWA Canada union? Leave your thoughts down in the comments and join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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I expect most if not all Canadian studios to shut down over this heard local politics tied to funding or incentivizing this is over now the Canadian government expects payouts same way they did with Hollywood. Canada is a country that can not sustain itself it needs foriegn money more than anyone. They really will need to join the US or kiss up to Trump not just gaming their entire economy and it’s not his fault they were so reliant on others. Canadians should be mad one of their big things is adult stuff Aylo that is concerning