Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain
Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain business and news from across the web.
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MindsEye and Everywhere developer Build A Rocket Boy appears to be headed for shutdown after fresh layoffs
Build A Rocket Boy, the developer behind MindsEye and Everywhere, appears to be facing shutdown following significant layoffs. Insiders suggest the studio is winding down operations, though official statements are pending. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain has spoken out against alleged mistreatment of employees and pledged support to those affected.
Rockstar and IWGB outline arguments at start of tribunal
Rockstar Games and the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain are presenting their arguments at an employment tribunal concerning the dismissal of 34 Rockstar staff. The claimants allege they were fired due to union activities, while Rockstar claims the dismissals were due to gross misconduct and a leak of confidential information, citing past incidents like the Grand Theft Auto 6 footage leak.
'It would have been insanity to take no action' - Fiery opening statements reveal Rockstar's culture of secrecy as tribunal against sacked GTA 6 employees begins
Rockstar Games and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) presented opposing opening statements in a tribunal concerning the dismissal of 31 Rockstar North employees. The IWGB alleges Rockstar monitored a private Discord server used for union organizing and took action only after the union reached a recognition threshold, while Rockstar claims the dismissals were due to uncovered misconduct and breaches of confidentiality related to Grand Theft Auto 6 development.
Rockstar and fired GTA developers outline core arguments during union busting tribunal
Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive are facing accusations of union busting in an ongoing employment tribunal in Glasgow, UK. The fired workers allege their dismissals were retaliation for union activity, while Rockstar claims the 34 employees were terminated for gross misconduct and leaking confidential information, including details about Grand Theft Auto VI. The company emphasizes the need for strict confidentiality to protect trade secrets, comparing them to Coca-Cola's formula.
'The modern workplace runs on fear ... today we are fighting fear': Fired Grand Theft Auto 6 dev calls out Rockstar in impassioned pre-trial speech
A final workplace tribunal hearing has begun for 31 former Rockstar Games employees fired in October 2025, with the Independent Workers of Great Britain union alleging union busting. Former programmer Rachel Crawford delivered a powerful speech about the fear-driven workplace culture at Rockstar, urging attendees to fight for better industry standards. The union and employees are seeking fair compensation or reinstatement, and are not calling for a boycott of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
'Justice at last feels within reach:' Fired Rockstar workers rally in Glasgow as union busting tribunal begins
Former Rockstar Games employees are rallying in Glasgow as a tribunal begins, accusing the company of union busting after firing over 30 workers for alleged trade union activity. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) supports the fired staff, calling the dismissals a "blatant and ruthless act of union busting." Rockstar Games maintains the employees were dismissed for gross misconduct due to sharing confidential information.
As final hearing over GTA firings begins, Rockstar reiterate they "reject the claims" made by union and will defend themselves "vigorously"
Rockstar Games is vigorously defending itself against claims of wrongful termination and union busting in a final tribunal hearing that began September 10th. The company states 34 former employees were fired for gross misconduct due to sharing confidential information, not for union activity, a stance the Independent Workers’ union of Great Britain disputes. The union is seeking a ruling of unfair dismissal for the former staff.
"Justice at last feels within reach": Final hearing in Rockstar and fired GTA devs' legal battle will kick off with a union rally
The final hearing in the legal battle between former Rockstar Games employees and the studio over their dismissal begins September 10th, with the Independent Workers’ union of Great Britain (IWGB) representing the staff. The IWGB accuses Rockstar of union busting after 34 employees were fired for discussing company policy in a union-run Discord server. A rally is planned for the opening day of the hearing, which is expected to run until October 15th.
Final hearing for Rockstar’s firing of unionized workers is set to begin this week
The final hearing for the case between Rockstar Games and a group of developers fired last year is set to begin before the Glasgow Employment Tribunal. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) announced the hearing will run from September 10th to October 16th, with the developers seeking reinstatement or compensation for unfair dismissal. The IWGB alleges Rockstar engaged in union busting by firing members of a private union Discord.
"Rockstar has tried to get away with Grand Theft Employment Rights" - Final hearing in Rockstar vs. GTA 6 fired employees begins this week
Rockstar Games is facing a final employment tribunal hearing over allegations that it unlawfully fired and blacklisted 31 employees from its Rockstar North studio for unionizing. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is seeking reinstatement or compensation for the workers, who claim they were discussing salaries and HR issues. The case is ongoing as the world anticipates the release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Fired Rockstar workers say you shouldn't boycott GTA 6 for them: 'We spent years pouring our hard work, skill,…
Fired unionized workers from Rockstar Games are urging gamers not to boycott Grand Theft Auto 6, despite their ongoing legal dispute over alleged union busting. The workers, represented by the IWGB union, are seeking justice and compensation for their dismissal, which they describe as a ruthless act. They encourage support through purchasing union merchandise to fund their legal battle.
Don’t Boycott GTA 6, Help Win Justice Instead, Fired Devs Say
Former Grand Theft Auto 6 developers fired from Rockstar Games are urging players not to boycott the game, but instead to support their ongoing legal battle against the studio for alleged union busting. The developers, who are members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, want fans to experience the game they helped create while also advocating for justice and fair labor practices. Rockstar Games denies the firings were related to union activity, stating they were for gross misconduct.
Don't boycott Grand Theft Auto 6, say workers fired by Rockstar - buy a T-shirt to help fund the legal battle instead
Workers fired by Rockstar Games have requested that fans do not boycott Grand Theft Auto 6, but instead support their ongoing legal battle against the company through T-shirt sales. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is representing the 31 former employees who were dismissed for alleged gross misconduct. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has expressed no concern about the legal dispute impacting Grand Theft Auto 6 sales.
Rather than calling for GTA 6 boycott, fired Rockstar workers urge players to support them in their legal battle against the studio by buying union merch
Former Rockstar Games employees involved in a legal dispute over their firings are asking players not to boycott Grand Theft Auto 6. Instead, they encourage support through the purchase of union merchandise to fund their legal battle against the company, which they accuse of union busting.
"Don’t boycott GTA 6," fired Rockstar devs say: "Support our legal battle instead" and "win justice for the people who helped make it"
Former Rockstar Games developers, let go last year, are urging fans not to boycott Grand Theft Auto 6. Instead, they are asking for support by purchasing t-shirts to fund their ongoing legal battle against the publisher, which alleges unlawful dismissal. The outcome of this case could set precedents for employee rights in the video game industry.
Fired Rockstar Workers Ask Fans Not to Boycott Grand Theft Auto 6
Former Rockstar Games employees have released a video asking fans not to boycott Grand Theft Auto 6, but instead to support their legal battle against the company for alleged union-busting. The workers, who were fired in 2025, are selling solidarity T-shirts to fund their fight for justice and fair treatment, with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain advocating for union recognition at the studio.
As layoff controversy continues, Rockstar union has 'more members than ever before', meaning it could force mandatory recognition
The Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU) has reported increased membership following controversial layoffs, prompting a push for voluntary recognition from Rockstar Games. If voluntary recognition is not granted, the union, a subsidiary of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain, may pursue statutory recognition, which could force the studio to acknowledge the union. This development comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the studio's employment practices and has reached the attention of UK parliament.
Rockstar Games Workers Union say their first meeting with the GTA 6 studio's management was "a step in the right direction"
The recently formed Rockstar Games Workers Union, part of the IWGB, has described their first meeting with Rockstar management as a positive step towards voluntary recognition. The union has secured a roadmap for negotiations and plans to address issues like crunch, pay transparency, flexible working, and AI usage if recognized. They can pursue statutory recognition if voluntary agreement is not reached.
Former MindsEye Studio Employees to Protest “All-Expenses-Paid Playtest Day”
Former employees of Build a Rocket Boy are planning a protest outside the studio's Edinburgh office regarding an "all-expenses-paid playtest day" for their Arcadia platform, occurring shortly after significant layoffs. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is organizing the protest, which aims to highlight the studio's decision to host a community event despite recent staff reductions.
MindsEye developers protest against a fan event their own studio is hosting
Developers at Build a Rocket Boy are planning to protest an upcoming on-site playtest event for their game MindsEye, citing recent layoffs and concerns over labor practices. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is supporting the protest, which highlights the studio's spending on fan events while allegedly mistreating its workforce.
