The Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union has initiated a petition aimed at safeguarding a hybrid work arrangement for its members, and the campaign has already attracted more than three hundred signatures. According to reporting from Game Developer, the union—known as Game Workers Unite Montreal (GWU)—kicked off the petition drive on September 30, posting an announcement across its social media channels to rally support. The union’s message was clear: "Every Ubisoft Montreal employee is invited to sign the petition, and every ally is encouraged to reach out to their networks and ask them to add their name as well." To maximize participation, the union asked staff to take advantage of break periods to meet colleagues in person and sign the petition, noting that the majority of signatures have been collected face‑to‑face rather than online.
The United Videogame Workers Union, operating under the umbrella of the CWA (UVW‑CWA), publicly endorsed the petition. In its statement, UVW‑CWA praised the Montreal union for "leading the change in our collective struggle for dignified work and economic justice." The broader union body highlighted how return‑to‑office directives often ignore the lived realities of workers: parents juggling childcare, employees with disabilities, staff who have purchased homes far from the studio, expatriates who relocated internationally for their jobs, and professionals who simply thrive in remote environments. "These policies are frequently imposed without meaningful input from the very people they affect," the statement read.
The UVW‑CWA further warned that when corporate leadership resorts to aggressive cost‑cutting measures and reneges on previously negotiated agreements, they must be held accountable for the human cost of those decisions. The petition therefore seeks not only to preserve hybrid flexibility but also to push Ubisoft’s management to engage in genuine dialogue with its workforce.
Ubisoft’s own stance on the matter stems from a restructuring initiative launched earlier this year, when the company introduced the concept of "Creative Houses" and, alongside it, a return‑to‑office mandate. Under this policy, all employees are expected to be on site five days a week, with a limited, annually‑allocated number of days permitted for remote work. The rationale, as articulated by Marie‑Sophie de Waubert, senior vice‑president of studio operations, is that in‑person collaboration fuels efficiency, creativity, and overall success in a highly competitive market.
"We really want to strengthen onsite collaboration, the collective dynamic across teams," de Waubert told GamesIndustry.biz. "We know that in‑person collaboration and interactions are key enablers of efficiency, creativity, and collective success in this persistently selective market.
It's one enabler among others, but it's really one we believe in." De Waubert added that the company plans to discuss the specifics of the new model with each country’s operations, emphasizing flexibility where possible. "The objective is really linked to the quality of our games and the quality of our creativity.
And it's one enabler among others for the Creative Houses to reconnect with success and team engagement," she explained. Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet echoed a similar sentiment, stating that the firm will continue conversations with employees, their representatives, and all teams to fine‑tune the approach.
He framed the shift as a strategy to "boost the collective performance for AAA titles," suggesting that the return‑to‑office policy is intended to enhance the studio’s competitive edge. The tension between management’s push for physical presence and workers’ desire for flexibility is not new at Ubisoft. In February of this year, a three‑day international strike erupted in response to the restructuring and the newly imposed office requirements.
Over 1,200 staff members participated, according to Marc Rutschlé, a representative of the Solidaires Informatique union at Ubisoft Paris, who confirmed the numbers to GamesIndustry.biz. Ubisoft later issued a separate statement indicating that 528 employees had formally reported themselves as being on strike during that period.
The current petition can be seen as a continuation of that broader labor movement within the company, reflecting ongoing concerns about work‑life balance, equitable treatment, and the role of employee voice in shaping corporate policy. By gathering signatures both online and in person, the Montreal union hopes to demonstrate to Ubisoft’s executive team that a substantial portion of the workforce values a hybrid model that accommodates diverse personal circumstances while still fostering collaboration. Support from the wider union network, such as UVW‑CWA, adds pressure on Ubisoft to reconsider its rigid return‑to‑office stance.
The petition’s momentum, combined with the historical precedent of large‑scale strikes, suggests that the issue will remain a focal point in upcoming negotiations between staff and management. As the campaign progresses, the union plans to keep the conversation alive through regular updates, outreach to media outlets, and continued engagement with employees across all Ubisoft locations. In summary, the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union’s petition to preserve hybrid work has quickly amassed over three hundred signatures, signaling strong employee interest in flexible work arrangements. Backed by the United Videogame Workers Union and framed within the context of previous labor actions at Ubisoft, the petition underscores a growing demand for workplace policies that reflect the varied needs of modern game developers.
The outcome of this effort could shape not only Ubisoft’s internal culture but also set a precedent for how large studios across the industry balance on‑site collaboration with the benefits of remote work.