Rockstar has claimed the workers it lately fired had been dismissed as a result of they leaked recreation options for upcoming and unannounced titles in Discord, not as a result of they had been making an attempt to unionize.
34 members of workers at Rockstar had been dismissed, 31 within the UK and three in Canada, sparking protests outdoors the workplace of GTA 6 developer Rockstar North in Edinburgh, Scotland, and out of doors mum or dad firm Take-Two’s workplace in London.
On the time, Rockstar insisted the fired workers had leaked firm secrets and techniques in a “public discussion board,” which was reported to be Discord. The Impartial Staff Union of Nice Britain (IWGB), which is representing the affected workers within the UK, refuted the declare, saying that employees “solely communicated in personal and legally-protected commerce union channels.”
Final month, the IWGB mentioned 220 letters signed by workers at Rockstar had been delivered to administration on the firm demanding the fired workers had been instantly reinstated. All the workers who signed the letters are members of the IWGB, it mentioned.
In a brand new assertion offered to IGN, a Rockstar Video games spokesperson mentioned:
“Rockstar Video games took motion in opposition to a small group of people, throughout the UK and internationally, who distributed and mentioned confidential data (together with particular recreation options from upcoming and unannounced titles) in a public discussion board, in breach of firm coverage and their authorized obligations. Claims that these dismissals had been linked to union membership or actions are fully false and deceptive.”
Rockstar’s assertion comes after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer referred to as the case “deeply regarding,” and pledged that ministers would examine.
The layoffs, which occurred on the finish of October, had been raised within the UK’s Parliament throughout this week’s session of Prime Minister’s Questions by Rockstar North’s native MP Chris Murray.
Union busting has penalties! UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the federal government will look into @RockstarGames‘s dismissal of 31 union members. pic.twitter.com/4EEM9NvcR7
— IWGB Recreation Staff (@IWGB_GW) December 10, 2025
“The video video games firm Rockstar in my constituency final month fired 31 workers with out offering proof or union illustration,” Murray instructed the Prime Minister. “The [Independent Workers Union of Great Britain] IWGB alleges union busting. Having met Rockstar they did not reassure me they’re following employment regulation and I share issues about union busting.
“Given this authorities is chargeable for the largest enhance in employees rights in a era,” Murray continued, “does the Prime Minister agree all firms no matter revenue measurement should comply with UK employment regulation and all employees have the precise to affix a union?”
“It is a deeply regarding case,” Starmer replied. “Each employee has the precise to affix a commerce union and we’re decided to strengthen employees rights and guarantee they do not face unfair penalties for being a part of a union. Our ministers will look into the actual case that he [Murray] raises and can hold him up to date.”
IGN has contacted the IWGB for additional remark.
In a press release despatched to IGN this week, MP Chris Murray shared eyebrow-raising element of his makes an attempt to debate the matter with Rockstar itself, together with a joint assembly alongside fellow Edinburgh MPs Tracy Gilbert and Scott Arthur at Rockstar North’s places of work which started with a standoff over the necessity to signal a non-disclosure settlement (NDA).
“The assembly started with us as MPs refused entry except an NDA was signed, a request they ultimately withdrew after it being made clear this may not be signed,” Murray mentioned.
He continued: “The assembly solely entrenched my issues in regards to the course of Rockstar used to dismiss so a lot of their workers members. I used to be not assured their course of paid sturdy consideration to UK employment regulation, I used to be not satisfied that this plan of action was crucial, and alarmingly, I didn’t go away knowledgeable on precisely what these 31 individuals had achieved to warrant their instant dismissal.”
As for Rockstar’s now-former workers, the IWGB has formally taken up their case and filed authorized claims in opposition to Rockstar Video games, alleging that their dismissal constituted “commerce union victimisation and blacklisting.” Step one on this authorized journey will see the IWGB’s declare examined by a tribunal who will decide whether or not the ex-employees are eligible for any interim aid. IGN lately questioned Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick on the matter, who answered by defending the corporate’s tradition and saying that Take-Two was “extremely happy with our labor relations.”
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Leave a Reply