‘We had been sacked from Rockstar North for making an attempt to unionise’ | EUROtoday

Former employees on the agency behind Grand Theft Auto have advised the BBC {that a} “devastating” mass sacking happened allegedly as a result of they tried to unionise.

Some 31 workers had been dismissed in October for what Rockstar North known as “gross misconduct”.

The majority had been based mostly on the gaming large’s Edinburgh headquarters, with former staff claiming they had been penalised for discussing working circumstances in a non-public on-line discussion board.

Rockstar North mentioned it was incorrect to counsel the dismissals had been linked to union membership or actions. It mentioned it took motion after employees mentioned confidential data, together with particular recreation options from upcoming titles, in a public discussion board.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) known as it a “ruthless act of union-busting”.

Rockstar North is among the UK’s largest recreation builders.

Its upcoming GTA 6 recreation is predicted to be one of many best-selling video games of all time when it’s launched in November 2026.

Information about recreation improvement is tightly managed throughout the gaming trade, with workers typically signing legally binding agreements to not share confidential data.

A body of workers have been routinely protesting exterior Rockstar North’s Edinburgh and London places of work.

BBC Scotland News has now spoken to 3 of the dismissed Edinburgh staff accused of revealing firm data.

Jordan Garland, a former senior manufacturing co-ordinator, mentioned many employees members needed to unionise as a result of “we were so passionate about the industry and that workplace in particular”.

“We just saw it as something we could do to make it better for everyone,” he added.

“So it’s a little bit devastating because it’s an industry that I love, and I think we all love. We couldn’t really see ourselves anywhere else.”

He mentioned members of employees had been discussing working circumstances on the agency in a non-public digital discussion board.

Jordan added: “We were talking about working conditions, policy – not talking about projects or anything like that, just talking about conditions.

“That to me that seems like a vital, obligatory a part of organising. How are you able to organise a office if you cannot discuss concerning the circumstances there?”

Jordan has worked at the company for 11 years and believes he was the first employee to be dismissed on the morning of 30 October.

“The first week was undoubtedly troublesome,” he said. “It was a variety of sleepless nights, a variety of tossing and turning about this.

“But in a kind of macabre way, it’s good they fired so many people because there is this really strong community element now.”

Designer Jamie Trimmer labored within the gaming trade for many of his grownup life earlier than being sacked from Rockstar North.

“I’ve worked there, like, 18 years now,” he mentioned. “I think I’m the longest serving person that was fired.

“It’s all I do know actually, after which it is simply form of ripped away. I’m left not realizing what to do subsequent actually.

“I never would have expected they would hit the nuclear option of firing so many of us in one go. It does highlight the need for unions.”

The group, together with fellow dismissed colleagues, at the moment are hoping to take Rockstar North to an employment tribunal.

However, they might have to attend as much as a yr for his or her case to be heard.

In the meantime, they’re ready to study in the event that they qualify for an intermediate aid listening to, which may see them reinstated of their roles or stored on Rockstar North’s payroll.

The problem was additionally raised at Prime Minister’s Questions in Westminster final week by MP Chris Murray.

Sir Keir Starmer mentioned it was “deeply concerning” and promised to look into the problem.

He added: “Every worker has the right to join a trade union, and we’re determined to strengthen workers’ rights and ensure they don’t face unfair consequences for being part of a union.”

Sacked manufacturing co-ordinator Sarah Blackburn mentioned the general public and political assist has helped her cope with the scenario.

“It’s massively heartening to hear actually and in a way, I’d say validating,” she mentioned.

“We’ve had a lot of support coming from places that I genuinely didn’t expect.

“We’ve had individuals who had been in unions who beforehand fought fights in several industries principally simply expressing solidarity and assist. It’s a flex of energy and it has been painful to be on this aspect of it, however I feel the assist has been nice.”

In a statement, Rockstar North told BBC Scotland News: “Rockstar Games took motion in opposition to a small group of people, throughout the UK and internationally, who distributed and mentioned confidential data (together with particular recreation options from upcoming and unannounced titles) in a public discussion board, in breach of firm coverage and their authorized obligations.

“Claims that these dismissals were linked to union membership or activities are entirely false and misleading.”