Rockstar Games employees working on Grand Theft Auto VI are pushing for official recognition of their union before the game’s release. Multiple outlets report that staff are working with the IWGB Game Workers Union after a wave of firings last year, actions some current and former employees describe as “union-busting.” The union publicly announced itself at the end of May, but Rockstar has not yet formally recognized it, which would limit access to formal consultation and bargaining channels.
According to reporting from the BBC and The Verge, the union is urging Rockstar to address working conditions, including pay transparency and greater flexibility. The Guardian describes staff efforts aimed at completing the recognition process before the GTA VI launch date in November. Rock Paper Shotgun adds that the union is seeking voluntary recognition and notes that UK legal frameworks may provide a pathway to a government tribunal if recognition is not granted within a set timeframe.
Overall, the dispute centers on whether Rockstar will recognize the union ahead of launch and how that recognition would affect workplace protections for employees as the studio approaches the game’s release.
