Grand Theft Auto workers seek union recognition after mass dismissals | Trade unions

The makers of Grand Theft Auto are trying to gain official recognition from unions after mass firings last year.

Video game designers and other employees at Rockstar Games are working with the IWGB Game Workers Union to try to secure unions ahead of GTA VI’s scheduled release in November.

It is expected to be one of the best-selling games of all time, and when pre-orders opened last week, it was reported to have generated $3bn (£2.27bn).

A move towards unionization could make Rockstar the second UK games studio with a recognized union. ZA/UM became the first to agree to recognition in October 2025.

If these plans succeed, workers will secure formal channels for collective bargaining with management, while union representatives and members will gain additional protections and rights in the workplace.

Rockstar was accused of “union busting” last year after firing 31 union members in October. The IWGB is challenging the dismissals through the Employment Tribunal, and a final hearing is due to begin in September, at which it will be determined whether the workers were unlawfully dismissed because of their union activity.

The company said at the time that employees were fired for sharing confidential information, including specific game features from upcoming titles, in a public forum.

Jordan Garland, one of the employees who was laid off, had worked for the company for 11 years. “We hope that Rockstar will voluntarily recognize the association, and we invite Rockstar to meet with us and make it a celebration of the people who make gaming possible,” he said.

He said the move to unionization was to “guarantee this kind of thing.” [the sackings] It will never happen again, not just at Rockstar but anywhere in the industry.

He added that the video game industry had been “extremely intensive” in laying off workers, saying it was due to “greed.”

“There have been several large acquisitions of smaller studios by larger companies, who have done so-called ‘simplified’ things,” he said. “It’s the state of the industry and it seems to be getting worse as the number of independent studios declines.”

He added that the millions of people who play and enjoy video games often don’t think about the workers who make them. “Partly because of how games are marketed and sold to consumers, the people who make them aren’t necessarily part of the conversation or marketing.”

It is understood that if the voluntary path is not followed, more will be organized to ensure recognition of the union, and this may include strike action.

“Thanks to the hard work of many of our members – both those who are currently with us and those who were dismissed last October – we are now in a strong enough position to pursue formal recognition,” said Shanti Easton-Steele, production co-ordinator at Rockstar North, the developer’s Edinburgh office.

“Although it is painful that our dismissed colleagues are not here to share this historic moment, the best way we can honor their contribution now is by succeeding in the fight they helped us start, and making them proud to have been a part of it.”

Rockstar has been contacted for comment. In reference to the dismissals, the company previously said in a statement: “Rockstar Games has taken action against a small group of individuals, across the UK and internationally, who distributed and discussed confidential information (including specific game features from upcoming and unannounced titles) in a public forum, in violation of company policy and its legal obligations. Claims that these dismissals are related to guild membership or activities are completely false and misleading.”

“Many people assumed that Rockstar’s firing of 31 union members last year would weaken organizing at the company — but in fact the union is now stronger than ever. GTA VI has reportedly already generated more than $3 billion in pre-order sales. Rockstar bosses can easily afford to sit around the table with the people whose hard work created these games, and give them a meaningful voice in their workplaces,” said Alex Marshall, IWGB President.