A significant show of support has emerged for unionization efforts at Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games, with 22 trade union leaders signing a letter to the company. The letter, addressed to Rockstar studio director Jennifer Kolbe and head of HR Rob Spampinato, urges the developer to begin bargaining with the IWGB Game Workers union.
"Workers at Rockstar have chosen the IWGB for their union, and it is only right that Rockstar respects their choice and agrees to bargain with them," the letter states, highlighting the IWGB's track record in the games sector, including the first recognition agreement at ZA/UM. The signatories represent a broad spectrum of professions, including members of the Artists' Union England, the British Medical Association, the National Education Union, the Social Workers Union, and United Tech and Allied Workers (CWU). Collectively, these 22 unions represent over 1.3 million workers.
This development follows recent allegations from three current Rockstar employees in the UK. These claims suggest that the company incorporates crunch periods into contracts, oversees a widening gender pay gap, and utilizes bonuses to ensure employee compliance. The IWGB is also currently assisting former Rockstar employees who were dismissed in October of last year. The union alleges these dismissals constituted union busting and is challenging them through an employment tribunal. A final hearing is scheduled for September, where a decision will be made on whether these workers were unlawfully fired due to union activity. The union leaders' endorsement underscores the potential impact of formal union recognition at Rockstar Games.