Spring McParlin-Jones
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IWGB Game Workers union forms 'redundancy taskforce' to defend workers' rights
The IWGB Game Workers Union has formed a new taskforce to support workers facing redundancy, aiming to ensure all layoffs are legal and fair. This initiative comes amid widespread layoffs in the industry, including recent cuts at Xbox and Rockstar Games. The union highlights the need for solidarity and worker empowerment against what they describe as mismanagement and greed.
"A kick in the teeth for the fired workers": Unionised former MindsEye devs protest alleged fan playtest at Build A Rocket Boy
The IWGB union, representing former employees of Build a Rocket Boy (BARB), protested outside the studio's offices. They accuse BARB of hosting an expenses-paid fan playtest event for their game, MindsEye, shortly after mass layoffs, calling it a "kick in the teeth" to the former workers. The union also alleges BARB management installed surveillance software on employee PCs to identify "saboteurs."
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.
Fired Rockstar developers can bring blacklisting claims against the GTA 6 developer, UK tribunal rules as final trial looms
An employment tribunal in the UK has ruled that fired Rockstar Games employees can pursue blacklisting claims against the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer. The workers were dismissed last year for allegedly leaking confidential information, which the IWGB Game Workers Union claims was union busting. The tribunal's decision allows these allegations to be heard in a full trial, with a final hearing scheduled from September 10th to October 15th.
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 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.
