Grand Theft Auto game creator sacked us for trying to unionise

Former Grand Theft Auto workers told the BBC that a devastating mass sacking took place allegedly because they wanted to unionize. In October, Rockstar North terminated 31 workers for "gross misconduct. The majority of workers were based at the Edinburgh headquarters of the gaming giant, with former employees claiming they were punished for discussing working conditions in a private online forum. Rockstar North said it was inaccurate to claim that the dismissals were due to union membership or other activities. Staff discussed private information, including specific game features from forthcoming titles, in a public forum, according to the company, which culminated in staff taking action.

It was described by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) as a "ruthless act of union busting.

Rockstar North is one of the country's top game developers. When it is announced in November 2026, the forthcoming GTA 6 game is expected to be one of the best-selling games of all time. Information about game advancement is tightly controlled across the gaming industry, with staff often signing legally binding agreements not to reveal personal information in order not to divulge confidential information. A group of employees has been regularly protesting outside Rockstar North's Edinburgh and London offices. Three of the dismissed Edinburgh workers who were accused of disclosing company information have now spoken to BBC Scotland News.

Many employees wanted to unionize because

we were so passionate about the industry and that work in particular,

Jordan Garland, a former senior production co-ordinator, said.

We just thought it as something we should do to make it better for everybody,

he said. "Well, it's a little bit sad because it''s an industry that I adore and that I think we all love. We couldn't really see ourselves anywhere else.

'Sleepless nights'

Members of staff were discussing working conditions at the company in a private digital forum, according to He.

We were talking about working conditions and policies, not about proposals or something like that, we were just talking about conditions.

That seems to me to be an essential and essential part of organising. How can you organise a work if you are unable to comment on the workplace's conditions?

Jordan has been with the company for ten years, and he believes he was the first employee to be dismissed on the morning of 30 October.

The first week was definitely difficult,he said.It was a lot of sleepless nights, with a slew of tossing and turning about this.

But in a macabre way, it's good they fired so many people because there is this really strong neighborhood element now.

Designer Jamie Trimmer worked in game for the majority of his adult life before being fired from Rockstar North. I've been working there for like, 18 years, he said.

I think I'm the longest-serving person to have been fired.

It's all I know really,says the author,and then it's just kind of ripped away. I'm left wondering what to do next. "I never thought they'd hit the nuclear option of killing so many of us in a single go. It does highlight the need for unions.

'Deeply concerning'

The company, as well as coworkers, are now trying to bring Rockstar North to an employment tribunal. However, they could have to wait up to a year for their lawsuit to be heard. They are also waiting to find out if they qualify for an intermediate relief hearing, which may result in them being reinstated in their positions or being kept on Rockstar North's payroll. Last week, MP Chris Murray was also asked at Prime Minister's Questions in Westminster by MP Chris Burke. Sir Keir Starmer said it was deeply troubling and that the matter was being investigated. Every worker has the right to join a trade union, he said, and we're determined to improve workers' rights and ensure they do not face unfair penalties for being part of a union. Sarah Blackburn, the former production co-ordinator, said that the public and political help has aided her in coping with the crisis.

It's so heartening to hear it actually and in a way that I'd say validating,

she said.

We've received a lot of support from people we didn't expect.

We've had people who were in unions who had previously wage wars in various industries who were merely expressing sympathy and support. It's a flex of power, and it's been difficult to be on this side of it, but I think the support has been excellent.

Rockstar North took action against a select group of individuals from around the UK and internationally who sold and discussed confidential information (including specific game features from forthcoming and unannounced titles) in a public forum, in breach of company policy and legal obligations,

Rockstar North told BBC Scotland News. "These dismissals were attributed to union membership or other employment, and they were clearly inaccurate and misleading.