What’s Happening?
1. Mass Firings at Rockstar
- In late October 2025, Rockstar Games (the studio behind Grand Theft Auto 6) fired about 30–40 employees across its UK and Canada offices. (Wikipedia)
- Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, say these dismissals were due to “gross misconduct,” including allegations that the employees were leaking confidential information in internal chats. (Yahoo)
2. Union-Busting Allegations
- The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB)—which represented many of the affected developers—has strongly denied Rockstar’s explanation. It alleges the firings were aimed at quashing unionization efforts and were a union-busting tactic. (Dexerto)
- The IWGB has filed a formal legal claim against Rockstar, accusing the company of victimisation and collective dismissal linked to union activity and claiming the company refused to meaningfully engage with the union. (Dexerto)
3. Protests and Worker Backlash
- There have been protests outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh studio and Take-Two’s London office, where current staff and union supporters have called for reinstatement of fired workers and union recognition. (Dexerto)
- More than 200 Rockstar employees reportedly signed a letter condemning the firings and supporting those dismissed. (femalefirst.co.uk)
UK Government Steps In
4. Prime Minister’s Response
- On 10 December 2025, the issue was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the UK Parliament by Labour MP Chris Murray (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh), whose constituency includes Rockstar North. (femalefirst.co.uk)
- Murray highlighted concerns that 31 Rockstar employees were dismissed without evidence of wrongdoing and without union representation, and that the IWGB alleges this was union busting. (Dexerto)
5. Starmer Calls It “Deeply Concerning”
- UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the case was “deeply concerning”, affirming the principle that “every worker has the right to join a trade union.” (femalefirst.co.uk)
- He pledged that government ministers will review the specific case raised and keep Parliament updated. (femalefirst.co.uk)
Key Points of Contention
| Topic | Rockstar’s Position | Union / Worker Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for Firings | Employees shared confidential info | Firings targeted union members |
| Union Rights | Denies union activity was a factor | IWGB calls it union busting |
| Legal Action | No criminal charges yet | IWGB has launched a legal claim |
| Government View | Under investigation | Labour supports review |
Why This Matters
- Precedent for Gaming Industry: This could influence how studios approach unionization and employee rights in the UK and beyond.
- Employment Law Scrutiny: If found to violate UK labor law, Rockstar could face legal consequences.
- Public & Worker Pressure: Ongoing protests and internal dissent signal deeper tensions within the studio’s culture.
- Here’s a detailed breakdown of the case studies and key comments around the ongoing situation in which Rockstar Games—developer of Grand Theft Auto 6—is facing scrutiny from the UK Prime Minister and other stakeholders over alleged union-busting linked to recent staff layoffs: (femalefirst.co.uk)
1. Prime Minister’s Comments & Government Review
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Rockstar’s firing of 31 developers as “deeply concerning.” He was responding in Parliament after Labour MP Chris Murray raised the matter during Prime Minister’s Questions. Starmer affirmed that every worker has the right to join a trade union and pledged that government ministers will investigate the specific case. (femalefirst.co.uk)
- Starmer’s quote:
“Every worker has the right to join a trade union and we’re determined to strengthen workers’ rights and ensure they don’t face unfair consequences for being part of a union.” (femalefirst.co.uk) - The government review could lead to deeper scrutiny of Rockstar’s employment practices, including whether UK employment law was correctly applied. (RockstarINTEL)
2. Rockstar’s Official Position
Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, assert that the dismissals were due to “gross misconduct”, specifically alleging that employees were distributing confidential information in violation of company policies. Rockstar denies any anti-union motive. (TechRadar)
- Corporate stance:
Terminations were necessary due to policy violations and not related to union membership or organising. (TechRadar)
3. Legal Claims from the Independent Workers’ Union (IWGB)
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), which was organising some of the affected staff, has filed formal legal claims against Rockstar for unfair dismissal, victimisation, and collective dismissal linked to trade union activity. (iwgb.org.uk)
- IWGB’s legal framing:
The union argues the company’s action amounts to union busting, saying dismissals were punitive because employees were participating in or organising for union recognition. (Dexerto) - IWGB leadership comment:
IWGB President Alex Marshall described the conduct as a warning to employers thinking they can act with impunity against organised workers. (iwgb.org.uk)
4. Worker & Public Reactions
Protests and Worker Voices
There have been protests outside Rockstar North (Edinburgh) and Take-Two offices, with chants like “Rockstar, you’re disgusting” and calls for reinstatement and better pay and conditions. (GamesRadar+)
- Anonymised descriptions from employees (reported online) allege rapid disciplinary actions with little due process, refusal to allow union representation during meetings, and fear among remaining staff about speaking up. (Reddit)
Public & Industry Commentary
Some in gaming communities suggest that if the firings were truly related to union activities—especially given UK employment law protections—the company could face significant compensation and legal consequences in employment tribunals. (Reddit)
5. Broader Industry & Political Context
UK Employment Law & Union Rights
In the UK, trade union membership and activities are legally protected, and dismissals on the basis of union involvement can constitute unfair dismissal and victimisation under employment law. The government’s decision to consider the case reflects concerns about whether those protections were upheld. (femalefirst.co.uk)
Political Dimensions
Chris Murray’s questioning in Parliament and Starmer’s response have broader political implications:
- Emphasises workers’ rights amidst a government that has pledged to bolster union protections. (femalefirst.co.uk)
- Flags technology and creative industries as emerging battlegrounds for labour relations.
Summary of Case Studies & Comments
Source Perspective Core Assertion UK Government (Starmer) Oversight/Worker rights Concerned about fairness and will review the case. (femalefirst.co.uk) Rockstar/Take-Two Corporate defence Firings were due to gross misconduct unrelated to union activity. (TechRadar) IWGB Union Labour advocacy Legal claim of union busting and unlawful dismissal. (iwgb.org.uk) Employees & Activists Grassroots response Allegations of procedural unfairness and retaliation for union organising. (Reddit)
- Starmer’s quote: