Ubisoft Halifax Staff File to Unionize with CWA Canada Amid Industry Instability

Credit: Ubisoft/ R6 Mobile

A majority of employees at Ubisoft Halifax, the team behind mobile titles like Assassin’s Creed Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile, have officially filed to unionize with CWA Canada.

The filing was submitted on June 18, 2025, to the Nova Scotia Labour Board, marking a significant step toward collective bargaining for the studio's workers. 

The announcement was made via the official website of CWA Canada and later reported by Game Developer. 

If certified, the studio will form a wall-to-wall bargaining unit, meaning employees across various departments—designers, developers, QA testers, researchers, and more—will be represented under a single union.

The push for unionization stems largely from growing concerns about the volatility within the gaming industry. Over the past couple of years, many developers have faced layoffs, studio closures, and growing pressure tied to unpredictable project cycles. Employees at Ubisoft Halifax say this move is about gaining stability and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of their work environment.

Thomas Gillis, a senior server programmer at the studio, shared his thoughts on the initiative. “Unionizing with my coworkers at Ubisoft Halifax is important to me so that we have the strength needed to protect what we have today and to fight for our tomorrow,” he said. He added that with no clear end to the ongoing turbulence in the industry, workers must take charge and advocate for their rights and future.

This latest effort is part of a wider movement across North America, where game workers are increasingly organizing in response to job insecurity and burnout. Just last year, nearly 120 employees at Bethesda Game Studios Montreal—another Canadian developer—joined CWA Canada.

A letter co-signed by 39 of Ubisoft Halifax’s roughly 60 employees lays out their motivations in detail. “We are unionizing not in opposition to Ubisoft, but in partnership,” the letter explains.

The statement further emphasizes that Ubisoft Halifax has long embraced diversity and collaboration, boasting near gender-parity and a strong focus on inclusivity. Workers believe a union will help uphold these standards, particularly for those in historically marginalized or undervalued roles.

CWA Canada, which represents more than 6,000 media professionals—including journalists, digital creators, and game developers—welcomed the move. Carmel Smyth, president of the union, applauded the Halifax team for standing up for their future. “These workers are part of a generation that is making life at work so much better for everyone,” she noted.

A vote on the union certification is expected soon.