Rockstar fires 30 to 40 employees; Union accuses repression

Rockstar, the developer of Grand Theft Auto VI, is facing strong criticism after dismissing between 30 to 40 employees in the United Kingdom and Canada. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has described the action as a "blatant" and "relentless" act of union repression. The controversy comes at a critical moment, with the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 scheduled for May next year.

The IWGB alleges that the dismissed workers last Thursday were part of a private union chat group on Discord and were either unionized or in the process of unionization at Rockstar, according to Bloomberg. The union issued a press statement in response to the dismissals, stating that the layoffs were explicitly motivated by union activities:

"Rockstar has just carried out the most flagrant and relentless act of union repression in the history of the gaming industry. This blatant disregard for the law and the lives of the workers who generate billions for the company is an insult to their fans and the global industry."

The IWGB ensured that they will "pursue all possible legal measures to ensure that our members are reinstated and receive interim relief." The union also stated that the "Rockstar Union remains strong" and they will continue to organize for respect and better working conditions.

On the other hand, publisher Take-Two defended Rockstar through a spokesperson, stating that the dismissals occurred due to "serious misconduct and no other reason":

"Our culture is focused on teamwork, excellence, and kindness. Rockstar Games dismissed a small number of employees for serious misconduct, and no other reason. As always, we fully support Rockstar's ambitions and approach."

The dismissals coincide with the huge expectations and pressure surrounding the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a game that some analysts project to make $3 billion in its first year of sales. Rockstar has increased security measures after a major leak in 2022 and the early release of the first trailer the following year. Last year, the studio made it mandatory for employees to return to the office five days a week, citing the need to increase productivity and safety. This decision was criticized by workers affiliated with IWGB, who accused Rockstar of breaking promises and refusing to engage in dialogue about the issue.

Rockstar dismissed between 30 to 40 employees in the United Kingdom and Canada, who were part of a union group. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accuses Rockstar of union repression, while Take-Two claims "serious misconduct". The dismissals come amidst high pressure for the release of Grand Theft Auto VI (May next year) and after the studio demanded a return to the office five days a week.