Home / Business and Economy / Rockstar Accused of Union Busting Over GTA 6
Rockstar Accused of Union Busting Over GTA 6
10 Sep
Summary
- Former staff claim dismissal over union discussions before GTA 6.
- Rockstar states workers were sacked for sharing confidential information.
- An employment tribunal is currently underway in Glasgow.
Former staff at Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto, have initiated an employment tribunal, alleging unlawful dismissal. Twenty-three claimants assert they were fired last year for discussing working conditions and attempting to unionize. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) contends these employees were penalized for engaging in discussions on a private online forum while working on the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
Rockstar Games refutes these claims, stating the dismissals were for gross misconduct stemming from the discussion of confidential information, including game features, on an unapproved Discord channel. The company denies that union activities were the cause for dismissing 31 UK and Canadian workers in October 2025. The tribunal, which began with legal discussions and is expected to proceed with evidence on Friday, will examine these conflicting accounts.
The Grand Theft Auto 6, slated for release on November 19, has generated immense anticipation, with pre-orders already valued at hundreds of millions. Information control is paramount in the gaming industry, often enforced by legally binding agreements. The IWGB has labeled the situation as "union-busting," alleging Rockstar targeted workers, used blacklisting tactics, and denied procedural rights.
