Last year, just days before we officially learned that GTA 6 had been delayed to November 2026, developer Rockstar was accused of union-busting with the firing of 34 employees, 31 in the UK, and three in Canada at its Rockstar Toronto studio. Those dismissals spurred an ongoing legal battle between Rockstar and the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB), one that caught the eye of UK parliament and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Now, British MPs leading the investigation into Rockstar's alleged union-busting have come forward to accuse the company of obstructing legal processes through "silence and closed doors."
Per Eurogamer, as the legal battle has continued following a UK judge's decision to deny the fired workers interim pay, the IWGB claims that Rockstar has "failed to cooperate with basic disclosure requests, refused to provide evidence in full and investigation reports, and denied workers their right of appeal."
Scottish Labour MP Chris Murray, who was also the MP to bring the case up directly with Prime Minister Starmer, said, "From my first meeting with constituents impacted by Rockstar’s mass dismissal, I have held concerns with both the handling and motivation behind this action. I made my concerns clear during Prime Minister’s Questions, resulting in an ongoing ministerial investigation initiated by the Prime Minister. Constituents have lost their jobs, their income, with one constituent even forced to leave the country due to the removal of their visa sponsor," in a press release.
"During a recent meeting with a constituent, they explained Rockstar's justification for their dismissal has varied throughout this process. Rockstar must answer this case with transparency and full cooperation and uphold the right to appeal."
Edinburgh North and Leith Labour MP Tracy Gilbert also added "Every worker deserves the right to a fair appeal process and to have their voice heard. It is extremely disappointing that Rockstar has refused to properly engage with staff, representatives and trade unions throughout this process. Workers asking for fairness, transparency and respect should not be met with silence and closed doors, especially when livelihoods and workplace rights are at stake."
Edinburgh South West MP, Dr. Scott Arthur added, "When I visited Rockstar late last year alongside fellow MPs, my discussions with senior management emphasised their responsibility to treat staff in an open, fair, and transparent manner. Based on the account shared by my constituent, it appears that these principles are not being consistently upheld in practice."
"The UK Government is overseeing the largest expansion of workers’ rights in a generation, and as Members of Parliament we have a duty to challenge unfair employment practices and unjust dismissals. Rockstar must therefore cooperate fully and transparently with any investigations into alleged union‑busting and ensure that both dismissed and current employees are treated fairly and with respect."
IWGB Union president Alex Marshall called Rockstar's behaviour over the last six months "corporate legal stonewalling," alleging that Rockstar's avoidance of in-person meetings or proper transparency of evidence for the dismissal only further strengthens their belief that the dismissal of the 34 workers was a direct form of union-busting.
"They have acted as if they have impunity, showing no respect for UK trade union law. Our multiple requests for cooperation, whether proposing in-person meetings or asking for the full evidence behind the dismissals, have been met with radio silence. When Rockstar does respond, it's with a shifting narrative that constantly contradicts itself," Marshall said.
"Our members at Rockstar are proving that no matter a studio’s size, profits or prestige, when its workers are united we have the power to hold them to account. Through their relentless protesting, press and legal action, our members have drawn the world’s attention to the shady practices of these multi-national studios, and sent a message to rogue game executives that workers are unionizing en masse and are ready to fight back."
About the author: David has been writing about videogames, technology, and culture since 2020, with a focus on reporting daily news across multiple publications, including GameDaily.Biz, GameSkinny, and PlayStation Universe before joining Wccftech in 2025. David started contributing as Canada/US reporter for Wccftech's gaming section in 2025. Besides being up-to-date on the industry's movements, he loves interviewing developers, reviewing games, and writing intricate essays about the symbolism and layered meanings to be found in rich narratives as he's done for publications like GamesIndustry.Biz, LostInCult, and others. Outside of games he loves movies, music, theatre, his hometown, and his family, though not necessarily in that order.
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