Rockstar workers push to unionize ahead of GTA VI launch

workers in Grand Theft Auto VI Developer Rockstar Games has applied for voluntary recognition of its union, the IWGB Game Workers Union, According to a press release. This request comes after Rockstar fired more than 30 employees last year in a move Accused of Being a “union buster.”

According to the statement, IWGB members have been “actively organising” since 2019 and “claim to now represent a significant proportion of the workforce at each of the studio’s locations in Edinburgh, Dundee, Lincoln, Leeds and London”. As the union has grown, “Rockstar has already made improvements to worker conditions, including unprecedented average wage increases and financial incentives for the first time ever.” The union wants to improve pay transparency, promote “flexible work arrangements,” and address the crisis, something Rockstar has Subject to scrutiny in the past.

Rockstar owner Take-Two did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The final employment tribunal hearing over last year’s dismissals is due to begin in September – shortly before the planned launch Grand Theft Auto VI On November 19th. Rockstar announced Pricing starts at $79.99 per game Pre-orders opened last week.

The Rockstar workers’ campaign is part of a larger movement by game developers to unionize. Double Fine employees petitioned to unionize in Mayand workers at Activision studio Raven Software secured their files The first union contract last year.