GTA 6 developer Rockstar Games has been accused of retaliating against employees involved in union organizing, according to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB).
Across the global games industry, a growing number of studios are demanding the right for workers to form unions, especially after years of criticism over the “squeeze” periods often required to meet production deadlines. Rockstar Games is currently facing allegations that it is not supporting employees’ demands for organized action.
Rockstar Games accused of intentionally targeting union activity
Rockstar Games, the studio behind the “Grand Theft Auto” series, is facing union-busting allegations after laying off dozens of employees at its offices in the United Kingdom and Canada. According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the game developer was suddenly made redundant. 30 to 40 workers The union says it was a deliberate attempt to thwart efforts to form a union within the company.
The union called the company’s actions one of the most “blatant and callous” acts of union destruction in the gaming industry.
IWGB chairman Alex Marshall said the studio’s actions showed “a clear disregard for the law and the lives of the workers who earn billions.” He also criticized Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, for ignoring its employees and the gaming community that supports their work.
Representatives of trade unions are urge an investigation The company decided to dismiss the employee because the timing and scale of the dismissal were questionable, and the employee did not believe there was a justifiable reason for the dismissal. IWGB is reportedly exploring legal avenues to reverse the dismissal.
IWGB said in a statement that major companies like Rockstar getting away with antagonizing union organizers sends a “chilling message to workers around the world who want to come together to demand fair treatment.”
Take-Two denies the accusations
Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive Software, denied all of IWGB’s accusations. The company has said the firings were due to “grave misconduct” by employees and were unrelated to union activity, but so far it has not released details of the alleged misconduct.
Take-Two spokesman Alan Lewis said the company “fully supports Rockstar’s ambitions and approach.”
Despite the backlash, Rockstar has not indicated any plans to reverse the layoffs.
This isn’t the first time Rockstar has faced employee relations controversy. The company was heavily criticized in early 2024 for asking employees to return to the office five days a week.
The IWGB criticized the decision as disregarding the welfare of workers and their family responsibilities.
Rockstar defended its return-to-office order as a necessary step to beef up security after a major leak revealed dozens of videos picture From 2022’s unfinished Grand Theft Auto VI.
Rockstar is still preparing for release highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI Video Game May 26, 2026.
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