Key facts
- Former UK-based employees are suing Grand Theft Auto VI developer Rockstar Games for unfair dismissal.
- The workers claim they were illegally sacked last October for union activity.
- Rockstar denies the claims, stating the employees were dismissed for gross misconduct.
- The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union is seeking official recognition from Rockstar.
- The union aims to address pay transparency, flexible working arrangements, and overtime expectations.
- The case is scheduled to be heard at a tribunal in September.
Former employees based in the UK are suing Grand Theft Auto VI developer Rockstar Games, alleging unfair dismissal and that they were illegally sacked last October for union activity. The Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union, which represents some of the former workers, is calling for official recognition from Rockstar to address issues including pay transparency, flexible working arrangements, and overtime expectations.
Rockstar has strenuously denied the claims of illegal dismissal, stating that the staff were sacked for gross misconduct for sharing confidential information in a public group on the chat app Discord. The case is scheduled to be heard at a tribunal in September.
Jack Hoxby, one of the ex-Rockstar workers involved in the tribunal, described the approaching court date as "nerve-racking" and likened the situation to "David and Goliath." He expressed support for his former colleagues' efforts to form an officially recognised union.
Rockstar North, the Edinburgh-based studio behind the Grand Theft Auto series, has approximately 650 employees. The company stated it strives to provide world-class work environments and competitive compensation, noting its employee retention is well above the industry standard. Rockstar has received a request from a union seeking voluntary recognition and will arrange to meet.