Developers at Rockstar Games have formally applied for voluntary recognition of the IWGB Game Workers Union, a move that would establish Rockstar as the second UK-based game studio with a recognized union, following Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM. This application aims to provide union members with enhanced protections and rights through a formal structure for collective bargaining on key issues such as pay transparency, flexible working arrangements, and the prevention of excessive overtime, commonly known as crunch.
The IWGB Game Workers Union asserts that it represents a substantial portion of Rockstar's workforce across its various UK offices. The union claims its past efforts have already contributed to significant pay increases and the introduction of financial incentives for crunch periods for the first time within the company.
Josh Walter, a senior QA tester at Rockstar Lincoln, expressed the sentiment of many employees, stating, "We want to protect that. When people are confronted with pay disparities, excessive overtime or a lack of flexibility in arrangements, they are not in the best position to do their best work. We want to sit down with management and build a future where both the games and the conditions of the people who make them are as strong as possible."
Shanti Easton-Steel, a production coordinator at Rockstar North, highlighted the significance of this moment, noting, "This is a landmark moment for the Rockstar Game Workers Union, and hopefully for the industry as a whole." She also acknowledged the contributions of former employees, adding, "Whilst it’s painful that our dismissed colleagues are not here to share this milestone moment, the best way we can honour their contribution now is by succeeding in the fight they helped us to start, and making them proud to have been a part of it."
Rockstar Games issued a statement acknowledging the request: "We have received a request from a union seeking to discuss voluntary recognition. We value an open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and will arrange to meet."
The union recognition bid occurs amidst an ongoing legal dispute concerning allegations of union busting by Rockstar. The company maintains that employees dismissed late last year were let go for leaking unannounced game features, not for unionizing activities. These dismissals, affecting 34 staff members across UK and Canadian offices, led to protests outside Rockstar North in Edinburgh and Take-Two's London office.
The IWGB is challenging these dismissals in a Glasgow employment tribunal. An earlier application for interim relief filed on behalf of the dismissed developers was rejected by the tribunal in January.
The upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 in November is anticipated to be a major entertainment event, with preorders reportedly generating $3 billion. Alex Marshall, President of the IWGB Union, commented on the current situation, stating, "Over the last four years, workers have built a significant presence across Rockstar’s sites, and now represent a large proportion of the workforce. Applying for union recognition is the next step in strengthening their presence in the workplace. Rockstar has maintained that it respects workers’ trade union rights. This is now an opportunity for it to demonstrate that in practice."