IWGB Game Workers Union
IWGB Game Workers Union business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
GTA 6 Developers Ask Rockstar for Union Recognition — and They're Prepared to Go to the UK Government if Necessary
Developers at Rockstar Games have applied for voluntary recognition of the IWGB Game Workers Union. This move aims to make the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer the second UK games studio to have a recognized union, with potential escalation to the UK government if necessary.
Rockstar Games staff push for union recognition ahead of GTA VI launch
Employees at Rockstar Games are seeking official union recognition through the IWGB Game Workers Union ahead of the Grand Theft Auto VI launch. This effort follows alleged dismissals of union members in October 2025, which the union is challenging as union-busting. Union recognition would provide formal collective bargaining rights and workplace protections for employees.
UK employment tribunal denies Rockstar's request to have 'blacklisting' claims removed from upcoming trial
A UK employment tribunal has denied Rockstar Games' request to remove 'blacklisting' allegations from an upcoming trial brought by fired workers represented by the IWGB Game Workers union. The trial, set to begin September 10, will proceed with these claims, which stem from the dismissal of 34 staff in the UK and Canada for alleged gross misconduct. The IWGB accuses Rockstar of union-busting, while Rockstar claims confidential information was leaked.
UK MPs claim GTA 6 studio Rockstar "refused to properly engage with staff" during legal wranglings over dev firings
Several UK Members of Parliament are calling on Rockstar Games to be more transparent and cooperative in its legal dealings with developers fired last year. The IWGB Game Workers Union accuses Rockstar of union busting and failing to engage properly with staff and representatives during ongoing legal proceedings over the dismissals.
MindsEye studio Build a Rocket Boy sued by unionised staff, who accuse management of breaking the law with "invasive" surveillance software
Unionized staff at MindsEye developers Build a Rocket Boy are suing the studio, alleging that the installation of surveillance software violated data protection laws and their basic dignity. The IWGB Game Workers Union claims the software, Teramind, recorded keystrokes, screen activity, and microphone audio without employee consent or transparency about data collection. The lawsuit is separate from previous claims regarding mishandled redundancies.
MindsEye Devs Demand Answers Regarding Corporate Surveillance Issue
Employees of Build A Rocket Boy, represented by the IWGB Game Workers Union, are taking legal action against the company for installing surveillance software on their devices without consent. The union is demanding transparency regarding the data collected and its usage, while the company's leadership, including Leslie Benzies and Mark Gerhard, has accused former employees of corporate espionage related to the game MindsEye's poor launch.
Union workers take legal action against Build A Rocket Boy over alleged privacy violations
Unionized employees at Build A Rocket Boy (BARB) have filed legal action against the studio, alleging data privacy violations due to the installation of surveillance software called Teramind on work devices. The IWGB Game Workers Union claims BARB management has been uncooperative in disclosing what data was collected, how it was stored, and the reasons for the software's installation, which they describe as invasive and installed without consent.
How the Employment Rights Act 2025 empowers unions and employees, and how the games business must prepare
The new UK Employment Rights Act 2025, set to be implemented in stages through 2026 and 2027, significantly reforms employment laws, making it easier for trade unions to organize and take industrial action. The changes aim to reduce hurdles for unionization, simplify strike balloting, extend strike mandates, and offer greater protection to workers involved in industrial action. The article advises UK games businesses to prepare for increased union activity by understanding the legal framework, auditing employment practices, and ensuring documentation is robust.
