Labour organisers accuse Rockstar Games of ‘ruthless act of union busting’ after layoffs
Summary
Rockstar Games has dismissed more than 30 coders and graphic designers, prompting the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) to accuse the studio of a “blatant and ruthless act of union busting.” IWGB says the fired staff were members of a private union Discord channel and that terminations followed management discovering those accounts. Take-Two, Rockstar’s parent, says the dismissals were for “gross misconduct.”
Key Points
- Rockstar reportedly fired 30+ staff members who were part of a private trade-union Discord channel.
- IWGB calls the move “the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry.”
- Take-Two states the terminations were for “gross misconduct.”
- Sources suggest the union membership may have been close to the 10% threshold needed for statutory recognition in the UK.
- The studio ended remote working in 2024 and has previously faced criticism over crunch culture and a leak of Grand Theft Auto 6 code.
Content summary
The Register reports that Rockstar terminated dozens of employees after discovering they had accounts in a private Discord server used to discuss workplace improvements and union matters. IWGB leadership, including president Alex Marshall and chair Spring Mcparlin-Jones, condemned the move as a deliberate attack on organised labour, pointing out Rockstar’s huge commercial success — and suggesting the firings were motivated by an effort to prevent union recognition.
Take-Two’s spokesperson defended the company’s actions, citing “gross misconduct” as the reason for the dismissals and emphasising Rockstar’s commitment to a positive workplace. The story sits against a backdrop of Rockstar ending hybrid/remote working in 2024 and longstanding criticism about excessive working hours during crunch periods.
Context and relevance
This story matters beyond a single studio: it touches on rising union activity across the games industry and tech more broadly, employer responses to organised labour, and the legal threshold for union recognition in the UK (statutory recognition requires at least 10% membership within a bargaining unit). With major titles and huge revenues at stake, how employers handle unionisation efforts is likely to shape workplace norms and regulatory scrutiny going forward.
Author style
Punchy: this is presented as a direct, urgent account — the alleged union-busting accusation is framed as a major industry moment with potential legal and reputational fallout. If you’re tracking labour rights, games industry practices, or corporate responses to unionisation, read the detail.
Why should I read this?
Short version: it’s a big deal. If you care about workers’ rights, studio culture, or where the games industry is headed, this story shows how employers and unions are clashing — and why that matters for future working conditions and legal fights. We’ve done the legwork so you can see the stakes quickly.