Rockstar Games Faces Union Busting Claims in Glasgow Tribunal

Over 30 Rockstar Games employees were fired in late October 2025, with their union claiming it was union busting. Rockstar says it was for gross misconduct.
By Newsroom | Employment Law, Video Games |

GLASGOW - A preliminary employment tribunal hearing this week in Glasgow centered on the dismissal of over 30 Rockstar Games employees in late October 2025. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), representing these former employees, asserts that the terminations were retaliatory actions against workers attempting to organize and join the union.

Rockstar vs. the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain: a timeline of events so far - 1

The IWGB is seeking interim relief, a measure that would aim to temporarily reinstate the employees, restore their pay, and maintain their work visas until a full hearing can resolve the core dispute.

Rockstar vs. the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain: a timeline of events so far - 2

Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, has countered these claims, with spokesperson Alan Lewis stating that the dismissals were due to "gross misconduct" and "no other reason." In a subsequent statement to Bloomberg, Rockstar elaborated that employees had leaked "confidential information," explicitly denying any connection to union activities. The company further noted that employees who expressed support for unions without breaching confidentiality were not dismissed.

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Rockstar vs. the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain: a timeline of events so far - 3

The IWGB disputes Rockstar's narrative, insisting that all internal discussions among affected employees occurred within "closed, legally protected union channels." IWGB president Alex Marshall has labeled the actions as "the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry," asserting that Rockstar has shown "flagrant contempt for the law." The union claims that the affected UK workers were either members of the IWGB or were "attempting to organise" at Rockstar, with many being part of the IWGB Game Workers Union Discord channel.

Rockstar vs. the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain: a timeline of events so far - 4

Timeline of Events

  • October 30, 2025: Approximately 30-40 Rockstar Games employees, primarily based at the Edinburgh headquarters, are dismissed. The IWGB states these workers were involved in discussions about forming a union and were members of the IWGB or an associated Discord channel.

  • October 31, 2025: Reports emerge of the mass firings, with the IWGB accusing Rockstar of unlawful and retaliatory dismissals amounting to "union busting." Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, states the terminations were for "gross misconduct."

  • Early November 2025: Rockstar clarifies to Bloomberg that the dismissals were due to the leaking of "confidential information," including details of upcoming game features, in a "public forum." They maintain this is unrelated to union activities.

  • November 6, 2025: The BBC reports Take-Two Interactive claiming staff were sacked for sharing confidential information.

  • November 7, 2025: The Guardian reports on the IWGB's accusation that UK-based employees were fired for being members of the IWGB game workers union Discord channel.

  • November 12, 2025: The IWGB formally files legal claims against Rockstar Games, alleging "trade union victimisation and blacklisting." Attempts at negotiation with Rockstar are reported to have been rebuffed.

  • Mid-November 2025: Fired workers and supporters engage in protests outside Rockstar and Take-Two offices in the UK, demanding reinstatement.

  • December 15, 2025: BBC News reports on sacked production co-ordinator Sarah Blackburn, who speaks about the impact of the situation and the public support received.

Background

The dispute highlights a growing tension between established game development studios and emerging efforts by workers to organize for better conditions. The IWGB, which represents workers across various sectors, has been increasingly active in the video game industry, advocating for rights and fair treatment. Rockstar Games, known for its blockbuster titles like the Grand Theft Auto series, operates in an industry often characterized by intense crunch periods and high-pressure development cycles, factors that frequently fuel unionization efforts. The company's stance, emphasizing its culture of "teamwork, excellence, and kindness" while asserting that confidentiality breaches are grounds for dismissal, sets the stage for a complex legal and industrial relations battle. The outcome of the tribunal hearings will likely carry significant weight for union organizing within the broader gaming sector.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Rockstar Games have a tribunal hearing in Glasgow?
A preliminary employment tribunal hearing was held in Glasgow concerning the dismissal of over 30 Rockstar Games employees in October 2025. The union IWGB claims the firings were retaliatory against workers trying to organize.
Q: What does the IWGB union want from Rockstar Games?
The IWGB is seeking interim relief, which means they want the fired employees to be temporarily rehired and their pay and work visas restored until the main case is decided.
Q: What is Rockstar Games' reason for the dismissals?
Rockstar Games, through its parent company Take-Two Interactive, states that the employees were dismissed for "gross misconduct" and for leaking "confidential information" about upcoming games. They deny any connection to union activities.
Q: What does the IWGB say about Rockstar's reason for firing employees?
The IWGB disputes Rockstar's claims, stating that all internal union discussions happened in protected channels. They call the firings "union busting" and claim Rockstar is ignoring the law.
Q: Who is affected by these dismissals and the tribunal?
Over 30 Rockstar Games employees in the UK, who were allegedly involved in union organizing or were members of the IWGB, are directly affected. The outcome could impact union efforts in the wider video game industry.
Q: What happens next in this case?
The current hearing is preliminary. A full hearing will be needed to decide the core dispute between the union and Rockstar Games regarding the dismissals and the alleged union busting. The union is pushing for interim reinstatement of the workers.