Rockstar Games, the company known for the Grand Theft Auto series, recently terminated over 30 employees, sparking accusations of union-busting by a labor union representative. The firings took place in the U.K. and Canada, affecting workers in Toronto. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) mentioned that three Toronto employees were among those dismissed, but it was not specified if they were from Rockstar’s Oakville, Ontario studio or other locations.
The news of the terminations came just before Take-Two’s earnings call, where it was revealed that the release of Grand Theft Auto VI was delayed once again, now set for November 2026. The IWGB claimed that the fired employees were part of a private trade union chat group, either union members or attempting to unionize within the company.
According to IWGB President Alex Marshall, Rockstar’s actions were described as a severe form of union-busting in the gaming industry. The company initially cited “gross misconduct” as the reason for the terminations, later alleging that the employees were leaking company information externally, which the IWGB denied.
Protests led by IWGB organizers outside Rockstar and Take-Two’s U.K. offices followed the firings, with reports of employees being escorted out abruptly. The Entertainment Software Association of Canada refrained from commenting on the situation. Carmel Smyth, president of CWA Canada, criticized the layoffs, emphasizing the need for addressing workplace issues rather than resorting to dismissals.
The incident was deemed by some, including Carolyn Jong from Game Workers Unite Montreal, as an evident case of union-busting. Jong expressed concerns that such actions could deter other game developers from unionizing, creating a chilling effect within the industry. The IWGB filed legal claims against Rockstar in the U.K., asserting unfair dismissals and challenging the company’s stance on union activities.
