'GTA' publisher Rockstar Games accused of union busting after firings

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.'s Rockstar Games, which develops Grand Theft Auto, has terminated staff members involved in a British trade union. While the union accuses the studio of union-busting, the company claims that the workers were let go for misconduct.

Rockstar Games apparently fired over 30 employees on Thursday, according to a statement by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). The workers, who are members of IWGB, were involved in an IWGB Game Workers Union Discord channel; the union says the firings were illegal and retaliatory.

"Rockstar has just carried out the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry," IWGB president Alex Marshall said in the union's press release. "This flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions is an insult to their fans and the global industry."

Staffers were in offices across the UK and Canada, Bloomberg reported. According to IWGB organizers, some of the fired workers were visa holders sponsored by Rockstar, and others had medical conditions.

IWGB stated that it will "be mounting a full and robust defense of its members."

Meanwhile, Take-Two spokesman Alan Lewis told Bloomberg the firings were due to "gross misconduct, and for no other reason" and that "we fully support Rockstar's ambitions and approach."

Rockstar Games is most well-known for the Grand Theft Auto franchise. The latest iteration, Grand Theft Auto VI, has been delayed multiple times, with its long-awaited release now slated for May 2026 — but rumors are floating that it may be even later.