Employees at Ubisoft Barcelona, a studio contributing to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, have initiated a strike throughout July to protest recent mass layoffs and return-to-office mandates. The industrial action, organized by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo, will see staff working reduced hours every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon until July 17th. The union is advocating for protections against future collective dismissals, the reinstatement of agreed-upon promotion packages, and a reversal of the company's hybrid work policy to a 60/40 split between remote and in-office days. This marks a continuation of labor disputes within Ubisoft, as workers have previously filed lawsuits against return-to-office orders.
Earlier this month, Ubisoft announced a significant restructuring that would eliminate up to 380 roles. As part of this reorganization, Ubisoft Barcelona is reportedly being refocused primarily on Rainbow Six. The studio has a history of providing support for various Ubisoft titles, including projects like Rayman Raving Rabbids, Star Trek: Bridge Crew, multiple Assassin's Creed games, and Tom Clancy's The Division, with credits on the upcoming remake Assassin's Creed Mirage Resynced. The union's demands extend beyond job security and work arrangements, also calling for a review of planned salary increases and workplace benefits. This strike action reflects ongoing tensions between Ubisoft's workforce and its management regarding corporate changes and employment conditions.