Rockstar Games Accused of ‘Union Busting’ After Firing UK Workers

Rockstar Games, the powerhouse studio behind the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, is facing accusations of union busting after 31 workers at its UK offices were dismissed last month, allegedly in an attempt to prevent unionization efforts. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which represents workers in the gaming sector, claims the firings were a retaliatory move to suppress union activity within the company.

The IWGB has condemned the mass dismissals as a “blatant and ruthless act of union busting,” organizing protests outside Rockstar’s offices in Edinburgh and London on Thursday. The union insists that the firings were directly related to the employees’ attempts to form a union and collectively address workplace issues, a claim that Rockstar has firmly denied.

Rockstar’s Response: Confidentiality Breach Allegations

In response to the accusations, Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, stated that the employees were let go for breaching confidentiality agreements rather than their involvement in union activities. According to a statement given to Bloomberg, a Rockstar spokesperson explained:

“Last week, we took action against a small number of individuals who were found to be distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum, a violation of our company policies. This was in no way related to people’s right to join a union or engage in union activities.”

Rockstar, like many large game studios, maintains strict control over information regarding game development. Employees typically sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent leaks of sensitive content, especially with the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, slated for May 2026.

However, the IWGB is pushing back against Rockstar’s explanation, claiming that the dismissals were a direct response to the workers’ union activities. According to union president Alex Marshall, the studio is attempting to deflect attention away from the real issue—the suppression of workers’ rights to organize.

Union Accuses Rockstar of Targeting Organizers

Alex Marshall from the IWGB argued that the timing of the firings, combined with the dismissed employees’ involvement in union organizing, makes the case clear. He emphasized:

“They are afraid of hard-working staff privately discussing exercising their rights for a fairer workplace and a collective voice. Management is showing they don’t care about delays to GTA 6, and that they’re prioritizing union busting by targeting the very people who make the game.”

The union claims that the 31 workers fired at the end of October were part of a group discussing the formation of a union at Rockstar’s UK offices. The IWGB also disputes Rockstar’s claim of a confidentiality breach, arguing that the term “confidential information” was being used to mask the real reason for the dismissals: retaliation against union activity.

NDAs and Secrecy in the Gaming Industry

The issue of confidentiality agreements, or NDAs, is a particularly sensitive one within the gaming industry. As Dr. Paolo Ruffino, a senior lecturer in digital curation and computational creativity at King’s College London, pointed out, these agreements are often used to create a culture of secrecy. While NDAs are necessary to protect intellectual property and prevent leaks, they can also make it difficult to investigate workplace conditions or uncover unfair practices.

Ruffino noted that the “real question” in this case is whether the employees were dismissed for leaking confidential information or for engaging in protected union activities—a distinction that UK employment law requires, but which NDAs complicate.

“The real issue here is whether these dismissals were about protecting company secrets or suppressing workers’ right to organize,” Ruffino said. “These issues are difficult to address because of the legal protections companies enjoy when they claim violations of NDAs.”

Worker Testimonies: ‘A Power Imbalance’

At a picket rally outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh office, Fred Carter, one of the organizers, voiced his support for the dismissed workers, calling the firings “without warning” and “without reason.” Carter, a member of the IWGB, said the union was demanding the workers be reinstated and that Rockstar be held accountable for its actions.

“We’re asking people to come out and support us, to demand their jobs back and demand accountability from Rockstar,” Carter said. “This is about fighting for the rights of workers in the gaming industry.”

One of the workers who was dismissed spoke at the rally, describing a “power imbalance” in conversations with management. They explained that many workers felt intimidated or uncomfortable speaking out about issues in the workplace due to the potential risks to their job security. “Not everyone is comfortable speaking up, and even when you do, you can get shut down because you’re just one person,” they said.

The Road Ahead: Will Rockstar Face Legal Action?

The controversy surrounding Rockstar’s alleged union busting has sparked wider conversations about workers’ rights in the video game industry. As the development of GTA 6 continues, all eyes are on the company to see how it handles both the public relations fallout and any potential legal action that may arise from these dismissals.

In the UK, employees are legally protected from being dismissed for union involvement, and the IWGB has signaled that it will explore all avenues, including legal challenges, to support the fired workers.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, issues related to worker exploitation and labor rights are likely to remain a key point of discussion. With Rockstar’s high-profile reputation, this case could serve as a turning point in how large gaming studios manage employee relations and their stance on unionization.