CWA Canada Vows to Take All Necessary Legal Action to Protect Unionized Ubisoft Halifax Employees

CWA Canada has announced its intention to exhaust all available legal avenues in defense of the newly unionized workforce at Ubisoft Halifax, which is slated for closure. In a statement posted on the organization's website, the union expressed concern that the timing of the closure, coming so soon after the formation of a bargaining unit, raises several questions. While acknowledging that it is illegal for a company to close due to its employees forming a union, CWA Canada stops short of alleging that this is the case with Ubisoft. CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth stated, "The news is devastating, and we will pursue every available legal recourse to ensure the rights of these workers are respected." Smyth added, "We expect Ubisoft to demonstrate that the closure is unrelated to the employees' decision to unionize, as the workers, their families, and the community deserve transparency." Jon Huffman, a member of the organizing committee at the Ubisoft Halifax union, expressed disappointment and a commitment to support affected staff during this challenging time. The closure of Ubisoft's Halifax studio, announced on January 7th, affects 71 employees and comes on the heels of the formation of the company's first union in North America. A Ubisoft spokesperson has emphasized that the closure is part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce costs, and is unrelated to the unionization of staff.