Rockstar Games UK employees are set to vote on union recognition from November 12 to 26, just days before the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19. The vote, organized by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWUGB), could establish the largest recognized union in the UK gaming industry. Meanwhile, an employment tribunal between Rockstar and the IWUGB, initially scheduled to conclude in October, has been extended.
Closing arguments are now expected on November 17 or 18, immediately preceding the GTA 6 launch. The dispute began after Rockstar laid off over 30 employees in October 2025, many of whom were union members or organizers. The company cited misconduct related to sharing confidential information as the reason for the dismissals, while the union alleged union-busting.
The Rockstar Game Workers Union, representing staff across all UK offices, was formally announced in May 2026. Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar’s head of publishing, stated the company is open to unionization, saying, "We go where the team goes. So if they want a union, they will have a union.".
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing