Eugen Systems Developers End Strike to “Conserve Our Resources”

The seven-week strike held by multiple employees of French developer Eugen Systems has come to an end in defeat. According to an update from French videogame developers union Le Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vidéo, the group of 24 Eugen Systems employees, more than half of the entire 44-employee staff, ended their strike on April 3, not long after initiating proceedings against the company in French labor court. The decision to end the strike was made for financial reasons, with employees citing the need to “conserve our resources for the future.”

Despite returning to work, the group remains steadfast in their desire to rectify alleged workers’ rights violations, affirming to “continue to fight for our rights with the legal means at our disposal.” The group began their strike after a 15-month period during which Eugen Systems officials allegedly did not properly address the refusal of overtime pay, constantly undermined minimum wage laws and ignored contractual obligations made to employees.

On March 28, the group began proceedings against Eugen Systems in French labor court, and it appears the end of the strike will not impact those filings. “Approximately 15 Eugen Systems employees and ex-employees have seized the prud’hommes (French labor tribunal),” reads the statement.

The strike fund, which collected donations to help those who participated in the strike, will remain open to donations for “a few days.”

The news comes as discussion around the unionization of game developers has grown throughout the game development community, with a panel generating debate between developers and the IGDA regarding the viability of unions to protect workers’ rights. The situation at Eugen Systems is just the latest development that could lend some credence to the pro-union movement.

As for the employees returning to work, they know their fight isn’t over: “Even if the strike is over, the struggle isn’t.”