Ubisoft Halifax workers form first North American union after 6-month fight, and Ubisoft’s response shocked everyone

Ubisoft Halifax workers formed the first union in North America for Ubisoft, joining the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, Local 30111 following certification on December 18, 2025. The historic move reflects growing unionization momentum in the video game industry, where over 56% of workers now want union representation.

Historic Certification for North American Ubisoft Operations

Sixty-one employees at the Nova Scotia-based mobile game developer officially joined the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada after the Nova Scotia Labour Board certified the union on December 18, 2025. The vote reflected overwhelming support, with 73.8 percent voting in favor and every eligible worker participating in the democratic process.

Ubisoft Halifax specializes in mobile free-to-play games including Assassin’s Creed Rebellion and Rainbow Six Mobile. The studio was founded in 2010 and officially became Ubisoft Halifax in 2015.

Six-Month Journey to Union Victory

Workers first announced their intention to form a union in June 2025, filing for certification with the Nova Scotia Labour Board that same month. The union held a vote later that month, but the official count couldn’t proceed until Ubisoft responded and the bargaining unit was properly defined.

Lead programmer Jon Huffman explained the company initially challenged certification efforts. After going through several hearings, Ubisoft ultimately dropped its opposition. The vote count was finally held in December 2025, exactly six months after the initial filing, resulting in clear approval.

What Workers Are Saying About the Milestone

For Jon Huffman, the certification decision was a “huge relief” and “a great holiday surprise.” Huffman emphasized the strength of the mandate, calling the 73.8 percent vote a truly strong turnout that represents “a clear response from the membership.”

Huffman also noted that Halifax workers gained valuable support from Ubisoft unions in Europe, particularly France, during the certification process. Looking ahead to 2026, the union plans to focus on defining key goals and laying out its organizational structure.

“Even though it’s taken this long to certify, we’re still dedicated to doing this with Ubisoft. We love where we work, we love who we work with. We’re in this for the long haul.”

— Jon Huffman, Lead Programmer, Ubisoft Halifax

Broader Unionization Momentum Across Gaming Industry

The Ubisoft Halifax certification comes as unionization reaches unprecedented momentum in the video game industry. The 2025 GDC State of the Game Industry survey revealed that 64% of developers support game industry unionization and 56% of workers want to join a union. This reflects growing concerns about working conditions, compensation, and job security in the sector.

Unionization was identified as one of the biggest industry trends of 2025, alongside generative AI adoption and studio restructuring efforts. Industry observers note that the Halifax certification sends powerful signals to other Ubisoft locations and game development studios across North America.

What Does This Achievement Mean for the Future of Game Development?

Huffman told CTV News that certification “has started a conversation” among Ubisoft colleagues internationally. He noted that workers from other studios have reached out expressing their surprise at the news, though he emphasized that unionization decisions ultimately rest with individual teams. “We’ve shown the way forward, hopefully,” he said, suggesting the Halifax victory could inspire similar organizing efforts across the gaming industry.

The achievement demonstrates that despite corporate resistance, workers can successfully organize collective representation even in large multinational companies. As the industry grapples with ongoing layoffs, crunch culture, and compensation concerns, the Ubisoft Halifax union may serve as a blueprint for organizing efforts at other game studios seeking better terms and conditions for their employees.

Sources

• CTV News – Halifax workers form first Ubisoft union in North America
• Game Developer – Ubisoft Halifax workers form a union certification report
• GDC State of the Game Industry Survey (2025) – Developer union support statistics