Rockstar Games has been dealt a legal setback as a UK employment tribunal has allowed fired workers to proceed with all their union-busting allegations, including claims of blacklisting, at an upcoming trial. The studio had sought to narrow the scope of the case by having accusations of blacklisting—the alleged unlawful compilation of a discriminatory list of union workers and activists—removed. However, the tribunal ruled against this, permitting the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) to present these claims on behalf of 31 dismissed union members.
The final trial is scheduled to commence on September 10 and conclude on October 15, a little over a month before the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. This ruling ensures that the full breadth of the IWGB's accusations against Rockstar regarding alleged union-busting tactics will be heard.
Ellie Dunstan, one of the employees dismissed in October 2025, described the tribunal's decision as a significant victory. She stated that Rockstar's attempts to control the narrative have failed and expressed anticipation for proving their case in full. The firings, which affected over 30 workers and developers in the UK and Canada who were either union members or engaged in workplace organizing, have drawn considerable scrutiny.
Following the dismissals, the IWGB organized protests outside Take-Two and Rockstar offices in London and Edinburgh. The union subsequently initiated formal legal action, and over 200 Rockstar employees submitted letters to management demanding the reinstatement of their colleagues. The dispute also garnered attention from members of Parliament, with Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine calling for support for the affected workers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer later described the case as