Rockstar hit with legal claims by IWGB over firing of unionizing workers
British labor union Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) is escalating its legal fight with Grand Theft Auto VI developer Rockstar over the firing of over 30 union members on November 2, 2025. It has now issued formal legal claims against Rockstar for its actions, bringing the dispute before the British courts.
In an announcement, the union stated that it repeatedly sought meetings with Rockstar to resolve the conflict through negotiation, only to be stonewalled by the studio. Describing the termination as "unacceptable and unlawful," the union said it is issuing these claims on behalf of the affected workers.
"Our members allege that Rockstars conduct constitutes trade union victimization and blacklisting," said the IWGB legal team. This filing comes days after Rockstar announced Grand Theft Auto VI will be delayed until November 2026.
"Plain and simple union busting"Union president Alex Marshall declared that Rockstar has engaged in "plain and simple union busting," and that the organization would mount a full legal investigation. "Employers like Rockstar would do well to understand that private spaces such as trade union Discord servers have protections, and that their companys contractual clauses do not supersede UK law."
Marshall was referring to Rockstar's claim that it fired the unionizing workers for "gross misconduct," specifically the leaking of trade secrets. Last week the union informed Game Developer that union members had been speaking with organizers in a private Discord server, where they never discussed Rockstar products or plans.
A few days ago, fired Rockstar employee "Bran" told YouTube outlet People Make Games that the union was "very close" to reaching the number of members for statutory recognition under UK law. She also noted that new union recognition procedures were set to be implemented in 2026 that would have made the process "easier" for organizing employees.
Game Developer has reached out to Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive for comment, and will update this story when the company responds.
