Rockstar Games face employment tribunal over ‘unlawful’ sacking of 31 workers just weeks before GTA VI release

Rockstar Video games is because of seem at an employment tribunal in Glasgow, accused of “unlawfully” sacking 31 employees final yr.

The Edinburgh-based studio will face allegations introduced by the Unbiased Employees’ Union of Nice Britain (IWGB) starting on September 10.

In October final yr, Rockstar Video games fired 31 employees, a few of whom have been engaged on the Grand Theft Auto VI, which is being touted as the largest online game launch of all time.

The ultimate listening to on the case will hear proof given by IWGB alleging that employees have been focused by the corporate as a consequence of their union hyperlinks.

IWGB additionally claims Rockstar “blacklisted” staff and denied them fundamental procedural protections by refusing to observe a disciplinary course of or present a proper of enchantment.

Nevertheless, Rockstar mentioned staff have been dismissed over messages posted in a non-public union Discord channel, which apparently breached confidentiality agreements.

The union denies this and maintains that the dismissals have been an assault on the employees’ union exercise.

The listening to is will conclude on October 16, simply weeks earlier than GTA VI releases on November 19.

Staff are looking for to be reinstated by Rockstar or in failing that obtain compensation.

Jason Lewis, former Rockstar worker and IWGB Union member, says: “For nearly a yr, the reality about what occurred to us has been buried by Rockstar and surrounded by hypothesis. Now we lastly get the possibility to place it on the file.

“None of us imagined that speaking to one another about our working situations would flip our lives the wrong way up and catapult us into the centre of a world media storm.

“Because the world prepares for the discharge of GTA VI, we’re reliving the heartbreak of being thrown out of a mission we poured a lot of our lives into.

“We misplaced our jobs, our revenue, our group and the possibility to see the sport by to launch after spending years serving to to construct it. It was devastating.

“We now have fought tooth and nail to get so far, not simply to have the ability to win justice for ourselves, however to attract a line within the sand for any employer that thinks it will probably assault employees for unionising.

“It has been an emotional journey and it isn’t over but, however we will now see the end line, and justice eventually feels inside attain.”

Alex Marshall, president of IWGB, added: “We imagine Rockstar has tried to get away with Grand Theft Employment Rights.

“After a yr of preventing to get solutions, we hope this tribunal will lastly again them right into a nook and convey the reality to gentle.

“Because the world will get its first correct have a look at GTA VI, this listening to will give individuals an opportunity to look behind the scenes at what occurred to the employees who helped make it.”

A spokesperson for Rockstar Video games mentioned: “Rockstar Video games’ place has been clear and constant all through.

“People throughout the UK and Canada have been dismissed for gross misconduct following the sharing of confidential firm info, not due to alleged commerce union membership or exercise.

“We reject the claims and can defend them vigorously earlier than the tribunal.”