Last year, more than 30 Rockstar Games staff members were fired in alleged union-busting by the GTA 6 developer. Rockstar claimed the firing was because the developers were leaked features of upcoming games. Following this, the UK’s IWGB filed a lawsuit against the studio for allegedly refusing to negotiate layoffs, a case that continues to this day. Now, Rockstar developers have gone public with their union, calling themselves the Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union.
“We didn’t think this was how we would launch the public face of the Rockstar Games Union, but we never could have predicted what has happened over the last six months,” says a video shared on the IWGB Union’s YouTube channel. He goes on to explain: “Rockstar’s sudden layoffs did not crush our union. Instead, we are now bigger and stronger than ever, with more and more workers coming from each of Rockstar’s locations in Edinburgh, London, Leeds, Lincoln and Dundee. Together, we organize around the things we want to change, starting with salary transparency, work flexibility and an end to the crisis.
What the union is currently preparing for is the final hearing, the date of which now appears to be set. “We are determined to get justice for the 31 firefighters and show studios like Rockstar that they cannot get away with this disgusting treatment of the people whose talent, skills and creativity are what captivate their audiences and generate their billions.” To this end, the union has set up a support fund to which anyone can donate to help in the upcoming legal battle against Rockstar. These funds will be used to mount a legal defense, as well as to cover campaign costs “in order to increase pressure on Rockstar.”
So far the situation has been difficult and notable even among the general public. Earlier this year, firefighters were denied interim relief, which would have provided them with short-term emergency financial assistance from their employer, and several British politicians have even recently called on Rockstar to be more transparent and cooperative in their legal dealings.
As always, solidarity with the developers involved.
