Rockstar Denies Union-Busting Claims After Employee Firings

Rockstar Games has denied allegations of union busting after firing dozens of employees last week, saying the dismissals were due to leaks of confidential information. Reports indicate around 30 to 40 workers were let go on Oct. 30, many allegedly involved in organizing under the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB).

In a statement to Bloomberg, Rockstar said it acted against “a small number of individuals who were found to be distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum,” adding that the decision “was in no way related to people’s right to join a union or engage in union activities.”

Rockstar faces IWGB backlash over alleged union retaliation tied to GTA 6

In response, the IWGB president, Alex Marshall, said that Rockstar was “afraid of hard-working staff privately discussing exercising their rights for a fairer workplace.” He added that management seemed like “they don’t care about delays to Grand Theft Auto 6,” accusing the company of targeting staff advocating for better conditions.

Parent company Take-Two Interactive supported Rockstar’s actions, calling the dismissals “for gross misconduct, and no other reason.” Take-Two’s head of global communications, Alan Lewis, said the company strives to provide “positive work environments,” while supporting Rockstar’s creative direction.

The dispute highlights rising labor tensions in the gaming sector, where studios like Activision Blizzard and Sega of America have recently seen successful union drives. 

With Grand Theft Auto 6 still in development, Rockstar’s approach to internal organizing could set a precedent for how major studios handle collective worker efforts in the future.