Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
UK Rockstar staff to vote on union recognition during GTA 6 launch
Rockstar employees in the UK will vote on whether the IWGB union should be recognised from November 12 to 26.
The voting period will overlap with the November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Workers and management have agreed on terms for recognition that would give union members a say on pay, overtime, job cuts, flexible work and generative AI policies.
If workers approve the deal, the union would be the largest recognised in the UK games industry.
The vote comes amid a tribunal dispute over Rockstar’s dismissal of 31 staff last year, which workers allege was union-busting.
Rockstar says the staff were fired for gross misconduct and denies that was the reason for any other purpose.
Tribunal closing submissions are expected on November 17 and 18, and a judge will decide later whether employment law was broken.
UK-based Rockstar Games staff will vote from November 12 to 26 on whether to recognize the Independent Workers of Great Britain union.
The voting period will include the November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
A recognition deal would give workers a say on pay and bonuses, overtime, redundancies, flexible working and generative AI policies.
If approved, the union would become the largest recognized union in the UK games industry.
The vote comes as an employment tribunal considers the dismissal of 31 Rockstar staff, which workers allege was union busting.
- Who
- UK-based Rockstar Games staff will vote on union recognition with the Independent Workers of Great Britain.
- What
- Staff will vote on whether to recognize the union at the studio.
- When
- November 12 to 26, 2026.
- Where
- Rockstar Games’ UK operations.
- Why
- A recognition deal would give workers a say on workplace issues, including pay, overtime and flexible working.
Rockstar workers involved in union efforts
Rockstar Games
Dismissal of 31 staff
Rockstar workers involved in union efforts
Workers allege the dismissals were an act of union busting.
Rockstar Games
Rockstar says the staff were terminated for gross misconduct and for no other reason.
Unionizing workers began meeting with Rockstar management to discuss a recognition deal.
Rockstar laid off 31 staff involved in union efforts, according to the articles.
UK staff are scheduled to vote on union recognition.
Closing arguments or submissions are expected in the employment tribunal.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch during the voting period.
- Voting period
- November 12–26, 2026
- Game launch
- Grand Theft Auto 6, November 19
- Union
- Independent Workers of Great Britain
- Dismissed staff
- 31
- Tribunal closing arguments
- November 17–18
3 sources
What people are saying
For me, this vote comes down to ensuring employees at Rockstar get honesty and openness surrounding the decisions that affect them.
gross misconduct, and for no other reason