More than 200 Rockstar North employees have signed a letter demanding the immediate reinstatement of 31 colleagues who were let go in October, as protests continue outside the developer’s Edinburgh office and Take Two Interactive’s London headquarters.
The letter, delivered to senior management on November 13, accuses Rockstar of firing workers who were members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain. Staff claim the dismissals were linked to union activity, an allegation the IWGB has called the “most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry.”
Rockstar said the employees were dismissed for leaking information in public channels. The IWGB disputes this and says any communication took place in private and legally protected union spaces. The union has now issued formal legal claims against Rockstar and says it will seek interim relief and reinstatement for the affected workers.
Protests continue at Rockstar and Take-Two
The letter delivery followed a week of gatherings outside Rockstar North’s office in the Scottish capital, where fired staff, supporters, and current employees met daily. Protests also took place last week outside Take Two’s London office in solidarity with the dismissed workers.
The exact contents of the letter were not revealed, but IWGB states that it was “signed by over 200 members of staff, condemning the firing of 31 employees.”
Another Edinburgh protest is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18 to coincide with a cross-party parliamentary group meeting on Scotland’s games industry. The Scottish Parliament is located within walking distance of the Rockstar offices.
One dismissed worker, identified as Peter to protect anonymity, said it was heartwarming to see colleagues standing behind them.
“During a period where Rockstar want us to feel scared, my brave former colleagues are marching straight up to our boss’s door and demanding our voices are heard and not backing down.
“It’s clear to everyone close to this situation that this is a blatant, unapologetic act of vicious union busting. Rockstar employs so many talented game developers, all of whom are crucial to making the games we put out.”
IWGB organiser Fred Carter said Rockstar had carried out an Amazon-style act of union busting unprecedented in the sector. He highlighted that the company has received more than £440 million in UK tax relief while showing what he described as a disregard for workers and employment law.
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