The IWGB union has filed legal claims against Rockstar Games in the UK, accusing the company of unlawfully firing over 30 unionizing workers and engaging in union busting tactics, following their termination over alleged misconduct related to trade secrets. The union claims Rockstar's actions violate UK law and are part of a broader effort to suppress unionization efforts among employees.
Rockstar is accused of union busting after firing 30-40 UK and Canadian employees involved in union activities, amid high anticipation for GTA 6's release, with the union planning legal action and the company claiming misconduct as the reason for dismissals.
Rockstar Games is facing criticism from its developers and the IWGB union for mandating a return to the office to complete work on GTA 6, despite previous assurances of flexible work options. Employees express concerns about well-being, overwork, and the impact on their personal lives. The move has sparked backlash within the video game industry, with calls for transparency, healthy workplace culture, and work-life balance. The decision reflects a broader trend in the industry as companies grapple with the shift back to office work following the pandemic.
Mass redundancies in the video game industry have led to a surge in workers joining unions, with the Game Workers branch of the IWGB union in the UK seeing a nearly 50% increase in membership. Job cuts at major studios have prompted thousands of developers to join unions, with at least 10,500 staff globally losing their jobs in the past year. The UK, home to Europe's largest video game workforce, has been particularly affected, with around 900 of an estimated 11,100 job losses occurring there. The industry is experiencing a rebalancing following pandemic-driven growth, leading to calls for government support to create conditions for games businesses to thrive.
