220 Rockstar North Staff Demand Reinstatement After Firings

The dispute at Rockstar North began at the end of October, when the company dismissed 31 staff across its UK and Canadian offices. The terminations occurred on October 30 and were described by Rockstar as the result of “gross misconduct.” According to the company, the issue involved the sharing and discussion of confidential company information in a public forum that included individuals who were not Rockstar employees. The news of the firings became public on October 31.

Shortly after the dismissals, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) stated that all affected employees had been part of an IWGB Game Workers Union Discord channel. The union said the workers were either members of the union or attempting to organise one within the company, and it argued that the circumstances of the firings aligned with union-busting rather than misconduct, prompting the union to take formal action.

Earlier this week, the IWGB filed legal claims against Rockstar. The union said the employees were dismissed in circumstances it believes amount to victimisation and a collective dismissal linked to trade union activity. It explained that it had attempted to meet with Rockstar to resolve the matter through negotiation, but the company declined. The IWGB then filed legal claims on behalf of the dismissed workers, alleging trade union victimisation and blacklisting.

As the dispute expanded, 220 current employees at the Edinburgh-based Rockstar North signed and delivered a letter condemning the dismissals and demanding reinstatement. One of the fired employees, referred to as Peter for anonymity, described the reaction from colleagues by saying, “It’s heartwarming to see so many of our colleagues supporting us and holding management to account – during a period where Rockstar want us to feel scared, my brave former colleagues are marching straight up to our boss’s door and demanding our voices are heard and not backing down.” Peter also described the situation as “a blatant, unapologetic act of vicious union busting.”

IWGB organiser Fred Carter also reacted to the dismissals, saying: “By deciding to fire more than 30 union members, Rockstar have carried out an Amazon-style act of union-busting unprecedented in the games industry. This is a company that benefits from more than £440 million in UK tax relief, while displaying a callous and blatant disregard for both the livelihood of workers and the letter of the law.”

Following the dismissals, public demonstrations soon followed. Fired staff and supporters protested outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh office, and further protests were held outside Take-Two Interactive’s offices in London and Edinburgh on November 7. Additional demonstrations occurred on November 14 outside Take-Two’s London office and its Paris headquarters, with members of Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) joining the action in Paris. Another demonstration was held on November 18 outside Holyrood in Edinburgh, timed to coincide with a cross-party parliamentary group meeting on Scotland’s game industry.

The situation gained political attention when Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, raised the union-busting allegations in the House of Commons earlier this week. She later stated on social media that she urged ministers to support the dismissed workers and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Rockstar, for its part, continues to deny any connection between the firings and union activity. The company stated, “Last week, we took action against a small number of individuals who were found to be distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum, a violation of our company policies. This was in no way related to people’s right to join a union or engage in union activities.”But as both sides refuse to back down, the situation is now affecting far more than just the inside of Rockstar. The timing has raised additional concern, since Grand Theft Auto 6 has already experienced delays, and observers believe the ongoing dispute, along with possible legal action, could create even more challenges for the game’s development.