IWGB accuses Rockstar Games of ‘union busting’ • The Register
The maker of the Grand Theft Auto game series, Rockstar Games, has fired more than 30 coders and graphic designers in an act described by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) as “the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry.”
According to IWGB, the laid off staffers were part of a private trade union Discord channel, and members of the IWGB. The Register understands members and their representatives used the channel to discuss how they could improve their workplace.
The Register has been told that after management became aware of the channel, all staff members with accounts in that Discord server were summarily fired.
An anonymous source told us that there might have been just enough Union members for recognition. UK legislation requires that a union applying for statutory recognition has “at least 10 percent union membership within the proposed bargaining unit.” A “bargaining unit” is the group of employees that will be represented by the union.
Alex Marshall, IWGB president, said: “Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry. This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry.”
The Register contacted Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games. A spokesperson for Take-Two told us the reason for termination was “gross misconduct.”
The spokesperson said: “Rockstar Games terminated a small number of individuals for gross misconduct, and for no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar’s ambitions and approach.” They added: “We strive to make the world’s best entertainment properties by giving our best-in-class creative teams positive work environments and ongoing career opportunities. Our culture is focused on teamwork, excellence, and kindness.”
In 2024, Rockstar Games mandated that employees return to the office five days a week, citing productivity and security woes, the latter doubtless heightened by a leak of in-development code for Grand Theft Auto 6, the eagerly anticipated next game in the popular franchise. The studio has also been criticized for its development crunch, where employees work extreme hours to meet deadlines, leading to staff burnout.
In recent years, it has reportedly made improvements to its working conditions.
These reports, however, came before the company called an end to remote working.
Spring Mcparlin-Jones, chair of the IWGB Game Workers Union said: “Next year, Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to make upwards of $10 billion. That’s enough to end world hunger for a year. Such a flagrant attack on workers’ rights from such a valuable studio sends a very clear and shocking message to the world, that money matters more than people.” ®
