Prolonged Strike Called by STJV Union Amid Looming Layoffs at Don’t Nod

The independent game employee union STJV has urged the Don’t Nod team to initiate an extended strike in support of employees facing potential layoffs.

The strike received approval from about 90 percent of Don’t Nod employees who participated in a general assembly vote. STJV emphasized that it wants employees to engage in a “renewable strike” commencing on January 13, 2025, to compel management to address its demands regarding a proposed restructuring plan.

The French union consistently advocated for walkouts and strikes throughout 2024 following Don’t Nod’s announcement to reduce up to 69 positions as part of a “reorganization initiative” that studio management claimed would secure its long-term prospects.

“In light of declining results, and despite steps already taken, the company is now compelled to contemplate a reorganization initiative to maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly challenging and rivalrous landscape,” stated the Jusant and Lost Files: Bloom and Rage developer when commenting on its half-year results in October 2024.

In reaction, STJV argued that studio management was making employees bear the costs of their “gross incompetence” while simultaneously hindering the union’s ability to negotiate effectively by cutting timelines and resources to the “bare legal minimum.” The union urged management to engage with employee representatives and initially called for a walkout.

Subsequently, it called for strikes in November and December and put forth four primary demands (illustrated below).

Now, months later, STJV asserts that Don’t Nod’s response to negotiations has fallen short.

“Negotiations between STJV and Don’t Nod management regarding the layoffs plan have not fostered any serious commitments to the employees. Despite significant efforts from the union representatives to reach an agreement, management’s proposals remain inadequate,” stated the union in its most recent update.

“We have made every effort to negotiate fairly, and presumed good faith from our interlocutors. Today, the provisional date for a potential agreement has passed, and we still have not had the opportunity to discuss crucial elements such as the conditions under which employees would leave the firm (severance pay, packages for voluntary departures…).

“Negotiations have only centered around potential reductions in forced departures, over which management still intends to maintain total control, allowing them to remain very close to their initial plan.”

STJV claims that studio leaders are merely interested in buying time and are not keen to negotiate in earnest.

Game Developer has reached out to Don’t Nod and STJV for further information regarding these negotiations and the restructuring plan. 

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