{"id":1931616,"date":"2026-05-12T18:30:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931616"},"modified":"2026-05-12T18:30:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:30:24","slug":"uk-politicians-say-gta-6-developer-rockstar-refused-to-properly-engage-with-appeal-processes-after-firing-staff-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1931616","title":{"rendered":"UK Politicians Say GTA 6 Developer Rockstar &#8216;Refused to Properly Engage&#8217; With Appeal Processes After Firing Staff Last Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">UK politicians have strongly criticized <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/grand-theft-auto-vi\">GTA 6<\/a> developer Rockstar for its firing of 34 workers last October, as legal wrangling continues over the staff dismissals.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/gta-6-studio-rockstar-accuses-fired-employees-of-leaking-confidential-information-in-a-public-forum\">Rockstar has publicly stated that it fired the employees for gross misconduct<\/a>, and claimed they had broken confidentiality rules by sharing private information via Discord.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The IWGB Game Worker&#8217;s Union, however, has framed the incident as an example of alleged union busting, insisting the private Discord server involved was designed to host discussions on union efforts, and all the fired UK workers were members of its organization.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Rockstar North and Take-Two Office Protest Photos Nov 2025<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image credit: IWGB.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image credit: IWGB.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 4 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo by Lesley Martin\/PA Images via Getty Images.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo by Lesley Martin\/PA Images via Getty Images.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Earlier this year, an employment tribunal was held to determine whether the workers qualified for temporary financial relief \u2014 <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/rockstar-says-we-stand-by-our-course-of-action-as-judge-rejects-fired-gta-6-developers-application-for-interim-relief\">though the decision was made that they did not<\/a>. Still, Rockstar faces a final decision regarding the allegation of union busting \u2014 and in the meantime, the IWGB has garnered support from a series of local MPs.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;From my first meeting with constituents impacted by Rockstar&#8217;s mass dismissal, I have held concerns with both the handling and motivation behind this action,&#8221; said Chris Murray, MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. &#8220;I made my concerns clear during Prime Minister&#8217;s Questions, resulting in an ongoing ministerial investigation initiated by the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Constituents have lost their jobs, their income, with one constituent even forced to leave the country due to the removal of their visa sponsor. During a recent meeting with a constituent they explained Rockstar&#8217;s justification for their dismissal has varied throughout this process. Rockstar must answer this case with transparency and full cooperation and uphold the right to appeal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/uk-prime-minister-sir-keir-starmer-says-rockstar-firing-31-gta-6-developers-over-alleged-union-busting-is-deeply-concerning-and-pledges-that-ministers-will-now-investigate\">UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was asked about the firings<\/a> last December, and responded to say that the matter was &#8220;a deeply concerning case&#8221; which would be investigated further.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-theme=\"light\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Union busting has consequences! UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the government will look into <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RockstarGames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@RockstarGames<\/a>&#8216;s dismissal of 31 union members. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4EEM9NvcR7\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/4EEM9NvcR7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 IWGB Game Workers (@IWGB_GW) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IWGB_GW\/status\/1998758009200341375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, meanwhile stated that it was &#8220;extremely disappointing that Rockstar has refused to properly engage with staff, representatives and trade unions throughout this process. Workers asking for fairness, transparency and respect should not be met with silence and closed doors, especially when livelihoods and workplace rights are at stake.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;When I visited Rockstar late last year alongside fellow MPs, my discussions with senior management emphasised their responsibility to treat staff in an open, fair, and transparent manner,&#8221; said a third politician, Dr. Scott Arthur, MP for Edinburgh South West. &#8220;It appears that these principles are not being consistently upheld in practice.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;The UK Government is overseeing the largest expansion of workers&#8217; rights in a generation, and as Members of Parliament we have a duty to challenge unfair employment practices and unjust dismissals. Rockstar must therefore cooperate fully and transparently with any investigations into alleged union-busting and ensure that both dismissed and current employees are treated fairly and with respect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Several reports on the issue have examined what is alleged to have occured in more detail \u2014 most notably a in-depth investigation by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8TvWNFBBwuY\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">People Make Games<\/a>, which revealed the Discord interactions that appear to have caused the firings. It&#8217;s claimed that the impacted staff had discussed a specific message from Rockstar management regarding changes to the company&#8217;s Slack message policy, designed to cut down on off-topic conversations. It&#8217;s this sharing and discussing of an internal policy that is believed to have given Rockstar its legal justification to fire the workers.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Rockstar, however, insists the employees were fired because they leaked game features for upcoming and unannounced titles in the Discord. Issuing the interim ruling at the employment tribunal in January, Judge Frances Eccles said that because Rockstar dismissed three employees in Canada who were not members of the IWGB, their union membership could not have been a factor in their dismissal. If the interim relief had been granted, the fired workers would have been put back on Rockstar\u2019s payroll and had their work visas reinstated where necessary.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">According to information provided to IGN by a Rockstar Games spokesperson at the time, the ruling indicates that Judge Eccles believes that the IWGB is not \u201clikely\u201d to show that union activity or membership was the reason for their dismissal. The interim relief hearing was held in advance of a full tribunal, which will hear evidence from both sides at a later date.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">IGN recently questioned Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick on the matter, who answered by <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/take-two-ceo-says-our-culture-is-extraordinary-amid-accusations-of-union-busting-at-gta-6-dev-rockstar-games\">defending the company&#8217;s culture<\/a> and saying that the Rockstar parent company was &#8220;incredibly proud of our labor relations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">UK politicians have strongly criticized <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/games\/grand-theft-auto-vi\">GTA 6<\/a> developer Rockstar for its firing of 34 workers last October, as legal wrangling continues over the staff dismissals.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/gta-6-studio-rockstar-accuses-fired-employees-of-leaking-confidential-information-in-a-public-forum\">Rockstar has publicly stated that it fired the employees for gross misconduct<\/a>, and claimed they had broken confidentiality rules by sharing private information via Discord.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The IWGB Game Worker&#8217;s Union, however, has framed the incident as an example of alleged union busting, insisting the private Discord server involved was designed to host discussions on union efforts, and all the fired UK workers were members of its organization.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">Rockstar North and Take-Two Office Protest Photos Nov 2025<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image credit: IWGB.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image credit: IWGB.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 4 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo by Lesley Martin\/PA Images via Getty Images.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo by Lesley Martin\/PA Images via Getty Images.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Earlier this year, an employment tribunal was held to determine whether the workers qualified for temporary financial relief \u2014 <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/rockstar-says-we-stand-by-our-course-of-action-as-judge-rejects-fired-gta-6-developers-application-for-interim-relief\">though the decision was made that they did not<\/a>. Still, Rockstar faces a final decision regarding the allegation of union busting \u2014 and in the meantime, the IWGB has garnered support from a series of local MPs.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;From my first meeting with constituents impacted by Rockstar&#8217;s mass dismissal, I have held concerns with both the handling and motivation behind this action,&#8221; said Chris Murray, MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. &#8220;I made my concerns clear during Prime Minister&#8217;s Questions, resulting in an ongoing ministerial investigation initiated by the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;Constituents have lost their jobs, their income, with one constituent even forced to leave the country due to the removal of their visa sponsor. During a recent meeting with a constituent they explained Rockstar&#8217;s justification for their dismissal has varied throughout this process. Rockstar must answer this case with transparency and full cooperation and uphold the right to appeal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/uk-prime-minister-sir-keir-starmer-says-rockstar-firing-31-gta-6-developers-over-alleged-union-busting-is-deeply-concerning-and-pledges-that-ministers-will-now-investigate\">UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was asked about the firings<\/a> last December, and responded to say that the matter was &#8220;a deeply concerning case&#8221; which would be investigated further.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-theme=\"light\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\" lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Union busting has consequences! UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the government will look into <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RockstarGames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@RockstarGames<\/a>&#8216;s dismissal of 31 union members. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4EEM9NvcR7\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/4EEM9NvcR7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 IWGB Game Workers (@IWGB_GW) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IWGB_GW\/status\/1998758009200341375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, meanwhile stated that it was &#8220;extremely disappointing that Rockstar has refused to properly engage with staff, representatives and trade unions throughout this process. Workers asking for fairness, transparency and respect should not be met with silence and closed doors, especially when livelihoods and workplace rights are at stake.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;When I visited Rockstar late last year alongside fellow MPs, my discussions with senior management emphasised their responsibility to treat staff in an open, fair, and transparent manner,&#8221; said a third politician, Dr. Scott Arthur, MP for Edinburgh South West. &#8220;It appears that these principles are not being consistently upheld in practice.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;The UK Government is overseeing the largest expansion of workers&#8217; rights in a generation, and as Members of Parliament we have a duty to challenge unfair employment practices and unjust dismissals. Rockstar must therefore cooperate fully and transparently with any investigations into alleged union-busting and ensure that both dismissed and current employees are treated fairly and with respect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Several reports on the issue have examined what is alleged to have occured in more detail \u2014 most notably a in-depth investigation by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8TvWNFBBwuY\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">People Make Games<\/a>, which revealed the Discord interactions that appear to have caused the firings. It&#8217;s claimed that the impacted staff had discussed a specific message from Rockstar management regarding changes to the company&#8217;s Slack message policy, designed to cut down on off-topic conversations. It&#8217;s this sharing and discussing of an internal policy that is believed to have given Rockstar its legal justification to fire the workers.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Rockstar, however, insists the employees were fired because they leaked game features for upcoming and unannounced titles in the Discord. Issuing the interim ruling at the employment tribunal in January, Judge Frances Eccles said that because Rockstar dismissed three employees in Canada who were not members of the IWGB, their union membership could not have been a factor in their dismissal. If the interim relief had been granted, the fired workers would have been put back on Rockstar\u2019s payroll and had their work visas reinstated where necessary.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">According to information provided to IGN by a Rockstar Games spokesperson at the time, the ruling indicates that Judge Eccles believes that the IWGB is not \u201clikely\u201d to show that union activity or membership was the reason for their dismissal. The interim relief hearing was held in advance of a full tribunal, which will hear evidence from both sides at a later date.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">IGN recently questioned Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick on the matter, who answered by <a class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/take-two-ceo-says-our-culture-is-extraordinary-amid-accusations-of-union-busting-at-gta-6-dev-rockstar-games\">defending the company&#8217;s culture<\/a> and saying that the Rockstar parent company was &#8220;incredibly proud of our labor relations.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UK politicians have strongly criticized GTA 6 developer Rockstar for its firing of 34 workers last October, as legal wrangling continues over the staff dismissals. Rockstar has publicly stated that it fired the employees for gross misconduct, and claimed they had broken confidentiality rules by sharing private information via Discord. The IWGB Game Worker&#8217;s Union, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1931616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1931616"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1931616\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1931616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1931616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1931616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}