Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain
Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
"Rockstar thought they could control the narrative. They're wrong" - tribunal rules against GTA 6 developer's request to remove union's blacklisting claims from ongoing legal dispute
An employment tribunal has ruled against Rockstar Games' request to remove blacklisting claims from an ongoing legal dispute concerning alleged union busting. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain accused Rockstar of union busting after firing 30 employees, all union members. The tribunal's decision allows all of the union's allegations to proceed to trial, set to begin in September.
Rockstar vs. the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain: a timeline of events so far
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) accused Rockstar Games of union busting following the dismissal of 31 employees in October 2025, which the company attributed to gross misconduct for distributing confidential information. The dispute escalated with legal claims, protests, and parliamentary attention, with Rockstar maintaining the dismissals were unrelated to union activities. A preliminary employment tribunal hearing in January 2026 rejected the IWGB's request for interim relief, though the full hearing is pending.
Rockstar employees form union amid ongoing legal claims
Rockstar employees have formed the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. The union's formation follows the dismissal of over 30 employees, which the RGWU alleges was an act of union busting, leading to ongoing legal battles and protests.
Rockstar Game Workers Union formed by UK-based employees
Employees at Rockstar Games in the UK have formed a labor union, affiliating with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. This move signifies a growing trend of unionization within the video game industry.
"We're determined to win justice for the 31 fired workers" - Rockstar Games workers publicly launch union, as legal battle with the GTA 6 maker rages on
Workers at Rockstar Games have publicly launched the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB). This move follows the dismissal of 31 employees in October, which the union and others have labeled as union busting, leading to protests and legal action. The RGWU is also advocating for pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch culture.
Rockstar Games Developers Announce Founding of Rockstar Game Workers Union
Rockstar Games developers have announced the formation of the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain. The union's creation follows allegations of union busting and recent firings, and precedes legal proceedings related to a lawsuit against the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer. Rockstar Games denies the union-busting allegations, stating dismissals were due to breaches of company policy regarding confidential information.
6 months before the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, Rockstar employees in the UK have formed a union
Rockstar Games employees in the UK have formed the Rockstar Game Workers Union, affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. This development follows alleged firings of employees attempting to unionize in October 2025, which Rockstar denied. The union aims to address issues like pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch, while also seeking justice for the dismissed workers.
The Rockstar Game Workers Union breaks cover
Developers at Rockstar Games have announced the formation of the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), affiliated with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. This follows accusations of union-busting after the dismissal of over 30 unionizing developers, which Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive deny, citing gross misconduct. The RGWU is preparing legal action and aims to secure pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch.
Rockstar Games Accused of Stonewalling Legal Proceedings by Scottish Members of Parliament
Scottish Labour Members of Parliament are accusing Grand Theft Auto 6 developer Rockstar Games of obstructing legal proceedings related to alleged union-busting activities. MPs have called for greater transparency and cooperation from the company regarding employee firings and engagement with staff representatives and trade unions. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain has stated that affected employees have faced six months of legal stonewalling and that Rockstar has shown disregard for UK trade union law.
What's going on at Build A Rocket Boy? Layoffs, legal action, and more
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has conducted a third round of layoffs, reducing its staff to 80 employees. This follows previous rounds of redundancies and ongoing legal action from employees and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain over alleged mistreatment and the installation of surveillance software without consent. The studio's leadership has attributed the game's poor performance and studio issues to corporate sabotage, a claim that led to the termination of their partnership with publisher IO Interactive.
MindsEye Studio Hit With New Round of Layoffs, Reportedly Affecting Around 170 Workers
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly laid off around 170 employees, reducing its workforce to approximately 80. This follows a previous round of layoffs in March, which CEO Mark Gerhard attributed to espionage and sabotage. Several former employees have spoken out about the redundancies and alleged spying software used by the company.
MindsEye studio faces new legal action over employee surveillance software that workers' union alleges was 'recording individuals in their homes and without their consent'
MindsEye, the developer of Build a Rocket Boy, is facing new legal action from the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain's Game Workers branch. The union alleges that the company's installation of Teramind surveillance software on employee PCs, which tracks keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio, violates data protection laws and the workers' privacy by recording individuals in their homes without consent.
Union takes legal action against Build a Rocket Boy over alleged data privacy violations
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has initiated legal action against Build a Rocket Boy, alleging data privacy violations due to the installation of Teramind surveillance software on employees' devices without consent. The union claims this software violates data protection laws and employee dignity by tracking keystrokes, screen activity, and audio. Build a Rocket Boy acknowledged installing the software, calling it 'enhanced cybersecurity,' and stated it would be removed within three months, though the IWGB reports it was removed in March after employee grievances.
MindsEye Studio’s Employees File Lawsuit Alleging Privacy Violations With Monitoring Software
Employees of Build A Rocket Boy, represented by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, have filed a lawsuit alleging privacy violations due to the studio's installation of surveillance software called Teramind. The union claims the software, which tracked keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio without consent, violates data protection laws and employee dignity. Studio leaders Mark Gerhard and Leslie Benzies confirmed the software's installation without employee knowledge, which has since been removed following a collective grievance.