UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that government ministers will investigate the alleged union busting at Rockstar.
On December 10, Chris Murray, Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, questioned Starmer on whether all companies, regardless of their profitability or size, are obligated to adhere to UK employment law and uphold workers’ rights to unionize.
Murray reported that a meeting with Rockstar did not provide reassurance that the company was complying with employment law. He also conveyed the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain’s (IWGB) concerns regarding alleged union busting.
Starmer responded by calling the dismissal of Rockstar employees a “deeply concerning case” and confirmed that ministers would conduct an investigation.
Starmer emphasized that “Every worker has the right to join a trade union.” He added that there is a commitment to strengthen workers’ rights and prevent individuals from facing unfair repercussions for union membership.
On October 30, Rockstar terminated 31 employees, all of whom were union members, citing “gross misconduct” as the reason for their dismissal.
The IWGB characterized Rockstar’s action as “the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry.”
Rockstar, in its defense, stated that it took “action against a small number of individuals who were found to be distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.”
People Make Games subsequently alleged that this “confidential information” pertained to discussions about Slack policies on a private, invite-only Discord server utilized by both unionized and non-unionized staff.
In the weeks that followed, 220 employees at Rockstar North signed a letter, condemning the company’s decision and calling for “the immediate reinstatement of their colleagues.”
Protests were also held outside Rockstar North and Take-Two Interactive’s offices in London and Edinburgh. Additionally, a rally occurred outside the company’s Paris headquarters, organized by members of Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV).
The IWGB has since initiated legal claims against Rockstar, alleging unfair dismissal of staff. The union also stated that Rockstar “declined” to engage in a meeting with them concerning the matter.
The IWGB stated, “Despite [our] representation and attempts to meet with Rockstar to resolve the matter through negotiation, Rockstar [has] declined and persisted to terminate members of the union in a manner that is unacceptable and unlawful.”
The union added, “Accordingly, [we have] now issued formal legal claims against Rockstar on behalf of the Claimants. [Our] members allege that Rockstar’s conduct constitutes trade union victimisation and blacklisting.”
