IWGB promises Rockstar and Take-Two this is “just the start” after union busting demonstrations

Rockstar, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto, has found itself in hot water this week. After it fired 30 staff over what it alleges was leaking information, the representing union, IWGB Game Workers Union, called it “union busting”.

Rockstar’s official statement to Bloomberg is:

“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.”

However, it has been pointed out online that if 30 people were leaking information, it would have hit the public by now. Especially as it’s likely Rockstar’s accusations relate to Grand Theft Auto 6.

Union busting dubbed “calculated attack”

According to the IWGB, these members were specifically targeted because they were involved in a Discord channel related to union activities. Its official blog also dubs this as a “calculated attack on workers”.

Now, these ex-workers and union members have demonstrated outside of Rockstar North, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. While The Escapist couldn’t be up in Scotland to go to the demo, GTABase.com has posted several quotes from demonstrators on X (formerly Twitter).

According to those on the ground at Rockstar North’s offices, developers who were on “paternity and mental health leave” were fired via email.

Despite everything, one developer describes the atmosphere inside the offices as “one of excitement” whenever the game comes up. However, another developer alluded to the real atmosphere by mentioning that its current state is due to Rockstar management’s decisions.”

IWGB union president takes aim at Rockstar and Take-Two

Demonstrations have also taken place outside of Rockstar’s parent company offices as well. Take-Two saw protestors with smoke flares and banners loudly shouting in favor of the workers affected by the sudden firing.

IWGB’s head also warns both companies that it’s “only just the start”. Speaking to the Metro, IWGB president Alex Marshall said:

“We want to assure Take-Two and Rockstar that today’s action was only just the start. If they plan to dig their heels in on the most egregious union busting the sector’s ever seen, then they can get used to seeing us on their doorstep – we will not stop coming back until we get justice for these workers.”

History of bad management at Rockstar

This isn’t the first time Rockstar has been in discussion around work conditions. It was only in 2018 when a crunch fiasco happened, which saw hundreds of employees complain about the culture within Rockstar. Described as a “boys club”, with employees talking to Bloomberg in 2022, it had cleaned up its act.

In 2010, a “Rockstar Spouse” letter was written, claiming that the work conditions at the studio were untenable. In 2019, it finally converted game-testers based in its Lincoln, UK studio to full-time employees from contractors.

Notable ex-Rockstar employee and producer, Leslie Benzies, is currently facing heat from the IWGB as well. Build a Rocket Boy, which released MindsEye this year, has been accused of “longstanding disrespect and mistreatment of your staff.” This includes massive crunch development sessions and issues with redundancies.