**Strikes Erupt at Ubisoft Barcelona in Response to Mass Layoffs**
Ubisoft Barcelona, the support studio behind Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, is preparing for a series of strikes throughout July as staff respond to significant layoffs announced by the company. The strikes will take place every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from June 30th to July 17th, with employees demanding protection against future collective dismissals and the reinstatement of previously agreed promotion packages.
Earlier this month, Ubisoft disclosed plans to eliminate up to 380 positions as part of a broader restructuring strategy. This move specifically targets Ubisoft Barcelona, which will focus more on the development of Rainbow Six, one of the company’s primary franchises. The restructuring is part of a larger €1.16 billion funding arrangement from Tencent, aiming to streamline operations and enhance revenue generation from flagship titles.
Ubisoft Barcelona’s history includes contributions to various projects such as Rayman Raving Rabbids, Star Trek: Bridge Crew, and several entries in the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Notably, they hold credit for the upcoming remake, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, slated for release in July.
The planned strikes are organized by the Spanish union organization, La Confederación General del Trabajo. They have communicated their intentions through bulletins sent to various Spanish-language media outlets, which have since been reported on by several English-language platforms.
The strikers are advocating not just for those who are being laid off but also for the revival of a previously established internal promotion plan. Their demands include a minimum five-year protection against collective dismissals, the reinstatement of a 60/40 hybrid work model, and a reassessment of salary increases and workplace benefits. Some of these issues have been persistent, as unions representing Ubisoft Barcelona previously filed a lawsuit against a return-to-office mandate in early 2024.
This wave of strikes follows a series of industrial actions taken by Ubisoft employees in response to the company’s significant workforce reductions and other corporate changes. As the situation unfolds, the affected employees are steadfast in their pursuit of fair treatment and stable working conditions amidst the restructuring efforts at Ubisoft.
