Rockstar Hit by Legal Claim Issued by IWGB After Refusing to Meet about Reinstating Fired Workers
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain has issued a legal claim against Rockstar Games after the company declined to meet with union representatives regarding the reinstatement of thirty one workers from its Edinburgh office and three more from its Canadian studio. As previously reported, Rockstar alleged that the terminations were for gross misconduct, later clarified as accusations of leaking information on a public forum. Workers contest this explanation, stating that they had just reached the ten percent support threshold required to begin a formal unionization process, and that the timing suggests retaliation rather than misconduct.
The IWGB regards the situation as a clear example of union suppression. After holding multiple protests outside the Rockstar North headquarters, the union asked Rockstar to voluntarily reinstate the affected employees, who have repeatedly stated that they want to return to their roles and complete their work on Grand Theft Auto VI, which is now scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. According to the IWGB, Rockstar refused to meet for discussions, which prompted the union to take the next step and issue a formal legal claim.
The union’s legal department stated that it is representing employees who were dismissed under circumstances it believes constitute victimisation and collective dismissal connected to union activity. It added that despite attempts to negotiate, Rockstar continued with the terminations in a way the union believes is unacceptable and unlawful. According to the IWGB, the workers allege that the company’s actions amount to trade union victimisation and blacklisting.
Alex Marshall, President of the IWGB, reinforced this position by saying the union is confident that the events represent straightforward union busting and that the organisation is prepared to mount a full legal defence supported by its caseworkers, legal officers, and barristers. Marshall added that employers should recognise that private spaces used for union activity, such as Discord servers, have legal protections in the United Kingdom and that company policies do not override national labour laws. He also stressed that the case should serve as a warning to companies in the games industry and elsewhere that attempts to undermine organised workers will be challenged.
It is important to note that a legal claim is not the same as filing a lawsuit. A claim is an initial step that invites both sides to resolve the dispute without going to court. Should the process fail, the IWGB and the former Rockstar employees would likely move forward with a formal lawsuit. Such proceedings would take time, leaving many of the affected workers with little choice but to seek new employment while they wait for the outcome.
As the situation continues to develop, the conflict between Rockstar Games and the IWGB may become one of the most closely watched labour disputes in the modern gaming industry.
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