The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) considers Rockstar’s mass layoff of 30 to 40 employees to be an anti-union move.

On October 30, Rockstar laid off 30 to 40 employees. The IWGB then accused Rockstar Studios of anti-union behavior and filed a lawsuit against the developer for unlawfully dismissing employees. Rockstar claimed that the employees were dismissed for leaking confidential information and that the dismissals were not related to union activities. However, the union organized protests outside Rockstar North and Take-Two Interactive’s offices in London and Edinburgh. Since Rockstar refused to meet with the union, the IWGB believes these dismissals constitute retaliation for union activity and collective dismissal.

“We are representing employees who were dismissed by Rockstar Games in circumstances that we believe amount to victimization and collective dismissal linked to trade union activity. Despite our attempts to meet with Rockstar to resolve the matter through negotiation, they have declined and persisted in terminating union members in an unacceptable and unlawful manner. Accordingly, we have now issued formal legal claims against Rockstar on behalf of the claimants. Our members allege that Rockstar’s conduct constitutes trade union victimization and blacklisting,” the union’s legal team said in a statement.

“We are confident that what we’ve seen here is plain and simple union busting. We will mount a full legal defense with our expert group of caseworkers, legal officers, and barristers. Employers like Rockstar should understand that private spaces, such as trade union Discord servers, are protected and that their company’s contractual clauses do not supersede UK law. This case stands as a warning to any employer in the gaming industry and beyond who thinks they can act with impunity against organized workers. We will not be intimidated,” said IWGB president Alex Marshall.

This could turn into something bigger.

Source: Gamesindustry