UK Video Games Union launches legal claim against GTA 6 developer Rockstar, alleging 'union victimization and blacklisting'
Blog Andrew Joseph 13 Nov , 2025 0
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) announced today that it has launched legal proceedings against Rockstar Games, alleging that the dismissal of 31 Rockstar employees earlier this month constituted “union victimization and blacklisting.”
In a statement issued by the IWGB, the organization cited Fired in early November 31 Rockstar employees, the group said, were targeted because of their participation in a private chat group on Discord focused on union and organizing activities:
We represent employees dismissed from Rockstar Games for what we believe constitutes victimization and collective dismissal related to union activity.
Despite our representations and attempts to meet with Rockstar to negotiate a resolution, Rockstar refused and insisted on terminating union membership in an unacceptable and unlawful manner. As a result, we have now launched a formal legal claim against Rockstar on behalf of the claimant.
Our members allege that Rockstar's actions amount to union victimization and blacklisting.
The group claimed it was “blatant” and “callous” union-busting when it sacked staff earlier this month. The IWGB's claim has been submitted to the tribunal and will await a date for a preliminary hearing, which will determine whether the claimant is eligible for interim relief.
Rockstar disputed the union-busting accusations after they were made, first saying the employees were fired for “serious misconduct and no other reason” and later specifying they were fired for leaks.Confidential Information in Public ForumsThe IWGB disputes this claim, saying the only non-Rockstar employees on Discord are union organizers.
Last week, workers and supporters were laid off Protest outside the UK offices of Rockstar and publisher Take-Tworequiring workers to resume work.
IGN contacted Rockstar parent company Take-Two, but the publisher declined to comment.
All of this is just like GTA 6 second delayThe plan was postponed to November 2026 in an announcement made as part of Take-Two's quarterly earnings report. When we spoke with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick ahead of this release, he said Defend company culturesaying Take-Two is “incredibly proud of our labor relations.”
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter at IGN. You can find her posts at BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Have a story tip? Send it to [email protected].