Rockstar Games has faced backlash following its dismissal of 34 employees, a move the company claims was due to leaks of confidential game features on Discord, rather than any attempts by staff to unionize. Of the terminated staff, 31 were based in the UK and three in Canada. This decision has provoked protests outside Rockstar North’s offices in Edinburgh and Take-Two’s headquarters in London.
Initially, Rockstar cited breaches of company policy and obligations as the reason for the firings, stating that the employees had discussed confidential information in a public forum. However, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which is representing the dismissed employees, contradicted this assertion, stating that the communications were conducted through private, legally-protected channels.
In a recent statement, a Rockstar spokesperson emphasized that the company took action against “a small group of individuals” for their sharing of sensitive information, refuting claims linking their dismissals to union-related activities. The union, however, held strong in its position, having previously delivered 220 letters from staff demanding the reinstatement of the fired employees, all of whom are IWGB members.
The issue has garnered political attention, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer describing the situation as “deeply concerning.” He pledged that the government would investigate the claims of union-busting and emphasized the importance of workers’ rights and the freedom to join a union without fear of retaliation.
During a parliamentary session, Chris Murray, the local MP for Rockstar North, raised the issue of the recent layoffs, pointing out that the company had not provided sufficient evidence for the dismissals or ensured representation for the employees in question. Starmer responded by affirming the government’s commitment to investigate and uphold workers’ rights.
Murray later reported troubling details from his attempts to meet with Rockstar management, highlighting an initial standoff over a proposed non-disclosure agreement that was ultimately rescinded. His concerns extended to the transparency of Rockstar’s dismissal process, questioning whether it adhered to UK employment laws and expressing unease over the lack of clarity regarding the infractions that led to the dismissals.
In response to these developments, the IWGB has taken legal action against Rockstar Games, asserting that these terminations represent “trade union victimization and blacklisting.” The legal claims are set to be examined by a tribunal to assess the eligibility of the ex-employees for potential interim relief.
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has defended the company’s labor practices, asserting that they maintain a positive work culture and expressing pride in their labor relations. Meanwhile, the situation continues to unfold as affected employees, labor advocates, and government officials push for accountability and transparency from the game developer.
