The Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), formed earlier this year in the wake of controversial layoffs at the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer, has seen a substantial increase in membership, according to a report by People Make Games. This growth has bolstered the union's efforts to gain voluntary recognition from Rockstar.
If Rockstar does not voluntarily recognize the RGWU, the union may pursue statutory recognition. This process, made possible by the increased membership, could compel the studio to formally acknowledge the union. Should recognition be achieved, the RGWU would become the second and by far the largest video game union in the United Kingdom, surpassing the size of ZA/UM's union established in October of last year.
Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), of which the RGWU is a subsidiary, confirmed that negotiations between the IWGB and Rockstar Games are underway, with an initial meeting anticipated soon. Marshall indicated that the IWGB is prepared to utilize other mechanisms to ensure recognition if Rockstar does not engage in good-faith discussions. He also noted that the period immediately following Rockstar's dismissal of approximately 30 developers last year created a "chilling effect" on unionization efforts, but a subsequent "element of rebuilding" has led to a growing appetite for unionization within the studio.
Rockstar has previously denied accusations of union-busting, asserting that staff were terminated for gross misconduct and that the company was unaware of any employees' union membership at the time of the layoffs. The incident has been a significant point of discussion within the UK games industry, prompting protests outside the offices of Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two, and drawing attention from UK parliament, with former prime minister Keir Starmer calling the firings "deeply concerning."