Rockstar Games, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto, is defending itself before an employment tribunal in Glasgow over the dismissal of dozens of workers. The company says it fired them for leaking confidential information. The workers and their union say they were targeted for union activity. Here is where the case stands.
What the Case Is About
In late 2025, Rockstar, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, dismissed a group of workers, many of them based at Rockstar North in Edinburgh and working on Grand Theft Auto VI. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) represents them. Reports give different numbers, from about 30 to 34 workers, and some mention a smaller group of 23 directly challenging their dismissals. The group is reported to include IWGB members and a few people based in Canada who were also involved in union activity.
The workers want reinstatement or compensation, and a finding that they were unfairly dismissed.
Rockstar’s Position
Rockstar denies firing anyone for union membership or activity. It says the workers were dismissed for gross misconduct after sharing confidential company information in a private Discord channel, in breach of their confidentiality agreements. The company says it will defend the claims “vigorously before the tribunal” and that the dismissals were “not because of alleged trade union membership or activity.”
Robert Spampinato, Rockstar’s vice president of human resources, told the tribunal that claims he asked managers to “keep tabs” on union membership were “categorically not true,” and that there was no attempt to suppress union activity.
What the Union and Workers Say
The IWGB says the firings were unlawful, both in the reasons given and in the process used. It argues workers were denied basic procedural protections and were targeted for union activity. The union also alleges blacklisting, meaning compiling a list of union workers and activists. In June 2026 the tribunal rejected Rockstar’s attempt to strike the blacklisting allegation from the case, so all of the union’s claims can go to trial.
What Has Come Out at the Hearing
- The tribunal heard that an anonymous employee passed information about union meetings and recruitment to HR managers. Spampinato acknowledged the information helped management track workplace grievances.
- Asked why the dismissals came in October 2025 when some information was available earlier, he said Rockstar was in “crisis mode” and knew development was behind schedule.
- The hearing began on 10 September 2026 at the Glasgow Tribunal Centre. Fired staff and supporters rallied outside on the first day.
Timeline
- Late 2025: Workers are dismissed.
- June 2026: The tribunal allows the union’s claims, including blacklisting, to proceed to trial.
- 10 September 2026: The hearing begins in Glasgow.
- Mid-October 2026: The hearing is expected to conclude. Reports give 15 or 16 October.
- 19 November 2026: Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch.
Why It Matters
The IWGB president, Alex Marshall, has said the case is about more than one studio and will affect workers across the UK. The tribunal’s decision could shape how companies handle confidentiality rules and how workplace organising is protected. At this stage these remain claims and a defence being tested. No ruling on the dismissals has been reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rockstar fire the workers?
Rockstar says it dismissed them for gross misconduct, after they shared confidential company information in a private Discord channel.
What do the workers claim?
They and the IWGB say they were fired for union activity, that the process was unfair, and that union workers were blacklisted.
Has the tribunal made a decision?
Not yet according to the reports found. The hearing in Glasgow is expected to conclude in mid-October, and the outcome has not been reported.
How many workers were fired?
Reports vary between about 30 and 34, with a smaller group of 23 mentioned as directly challenging their dismissals.
Will this affect the GTA VI release?
No delay linked to the case has been reported. The game is scheduled for 19 November 2026.
The tribunal’s eventual ruling will show whether the dismissals were lawful, and it will be closely watched across the games industry and by UK unions.
