Unions Warn of Walkout Over Ubisoft Paris Job Cuts Amid Yves Guillemot Controversy

French unions, including Solidaires Informatique, STVJV, and CFE CGC, have united in a call for Ubisoft Paris employees to “stop working” if CEO Yves Guillemot enters the studio’s offices.

A union pamphlet, which was shared publicly, states, “It’s time to make our boss understand that he is not welcome here as long as he continues to mistreat his employees. We urge Ubisoft Paris staff to leave their desks and gather in front of the building if Yves Guillemot shows up.”

Recently, Ubisoft proposed a “voluntary mutual termination” plan that could result in 200 employees losing their jobs at the Paris branch. An email to staff, reported by an outlet, included a union representative’s claim that this proposal contradicts a recent agreement made by human resources to maintain employee numbers.

This latest move follows a series of layoffs and project cancellations that have significantly impacted the company. Solidaires Informatique expressed, “Allowing an out-of-control boss to ruin our working conditions is unacceptable. Perhaps he needs a reminder that it’s the employees who create the games.”

An employee representative from Ubisoft Paris voiced their frustration more bluntly, stating, “It’s wild. Does he [Yves Guillemot] want to save money or fire people?” They concluded, “He […] should be removed from the company’s management. He is in the process of screwing everything up and f***ing the company.”

In response to a recent leak about a remake of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Ubisoft humorously referenced a classic GTA San Andreas meme, saying, “Ah, s***, here we go again.”