Rockstar Games seeks union recognition following mass firings, according to Trade unions.
What happened
Video game developers at Rockstar Games are working with the IWGB Game Workers Union to achieve official union recognition after the dismissal of 31 employees last year. This effort comes ahead of the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI, scheduled for November 2026. Pre-orders for the game recently surpassed $3 billion.
Workers at Rockstar believe unionization will provide formal channels for collective bargaining and additional workplace protections. Jordan Garland, a long-time employee, stated, “We hope Rockstar voluntarily recognizes the union; we are inviting Rockstar to meet us and make it a celebration of people who make the games possible.”
Why it matters
If successful, the effort would mark Rockstar as the second UK game studio to have a recognized union, following ZA/UM, which achieved this status in October 2025. The outcome could strengthen worker rights in an industry known for high turnover and layoffs, with Garland highlighting the issue as partially driven by “greed” in large acquisitions.
Background
On October 31, 2025, Rockstar Games came under scrutiny for allegedly engaging in “union busting” after the dismissal of union members. The IWGB is contesting these dismissals through an employment tribunal, with the final hearing set for September 2026 to determine the legality of the firings for union activity.
What’s next
The union plans to continue organizing efforts and may escalate actions, potentially including strikes, if Rockstar does not voluntarily recognize the union ahead of the scheduled tribunal hearing in September 2026.
