Labor Relations
Ongoing coverage on Labor Relations.
Latest coverage
Rockstar Games Staff Set for 'Historic' Union Vote at the Same Time GTA 6 Comes Out
Employees at Rockstar Games are set to vote on union recognition. This vote will occur around the same time as the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Rockstar Games employees have locked in a union vote next month, and it'll take place over Grand Theft Auto 6's release window
Rockstar Games employees will vote on union recognition between November 12th and 26th, a period that spans the release window of Grand Theft Auto 6. This vote follows a legal dispute over alleged unfair firings, with the union accusing Rockstar of union busting.
Rockstar UK Staff Will Vote on IWGB Union Recognition as GTA 6 Launches
Rockstar Games staff in the UK will vote on union recognition for the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain from November 12 to 26, coinciding with the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. The potential recognition deal covers pay, overtime, and AI policies, aiming to make the IWGB the largest union in the UK games industry. This vote is separate from an ongoing tribunal concerning the dismissal of 31 employees, which the union alleges was union-busting.
Rockstar Games, IWGB to Vote on Union Formation Between November 12th and 26th
Rockstar Games and the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) have agreed to hold a union formation vote between November 12th and 26th. This vote will allow workers to have a say on issues including pay, overtime, and generative AI policies. The timing of the vote coincides with the pre-load and release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and a union-busting tribunal hearing.
Rockstar will hold union vote right on top of Grand Theft Auto 6 release
Rockstar employees will hold a union recognition vote between November 12-26, coinciding with the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. The IWGB union aims to become the largest game industry union in the UK, addressing issues like pay, overtime, and AI policies. This vote occurs amidst past controversies, including employee firings that the union labeled as union busting.
Life Is Strange Developer Don't Nod Blasted by Union Employees Over 'Illegal' Management Practices as Possible Layoffs Loom
Employees of Life Is Strange developer Don't Nod have issued a statement warning of potential insolvency and layoffs, accusing management of "illegal" practices that have caused staff significant uncertainty and anxiety. The unionized employees expressed concern over the company's current financial state and management's handling of the situation.
Rockstar Games workers to vote on unionization right as Grand Theft Auto VI launches
Rockstar Games employees are set to vote on union recognition next month, a move that comes amid ongoing legal battles over alleged union busting. This vote coincides with the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI, with the company's workers aiming to gain a stronger voice on issues like pay, overtime, and job security.
Demystifying unions: What games leaders need to know
This article provides insights for video game company leaders on understanding and working with labor unions, emphasizing a collaborative rather than combative approach. It highlights new UK Employment Rights Act changes that mandate union access and discusses how to foster ongoing, productive relationships, noting that strikes are a last resort. The piece also touches on the importance of seeking legal advice and separating wider union issues from individual circumstances, using the Rockstar Games vs. IWGB case as an example.
Unionized Activision QA workers authorize a strike after two years of stalled negotiations
Unionized Activision QA workers have authorized a strike after two years of stalled negotiations with the company. The union, representing 600 workers, is seeking wage increases, AI guardrails, and improved working conditions. Both sides accuse the other of bad-faith bargaining.
Activision QA United-CWA union vote to authorise strike, claims publisher has "failed to bargain in good faith over key issues"
Members of the Activision Quality Assurance United-CWA union have voted to authorize a strike, citing Activision Blizzard's alleged failure to bargain in good faith over key issues such as wages and AI guardrails. The union, which formed in March 2024, has been in negotiations for a first contract since August. Activision Blizzard stated they are working in good faith and have plans to prevent disruption to players.
Surprising no-one, Wizards of the Coast 'doesn't intend to voluntarily recognize' union efforts for the…
Wizards of the Coast has stated it does not intend to voluntarily recognize union efforts for its Dungeons & Dragons and Studio X employees, despite the union's commitment to achieving a workplace focused on wellness and collaboration. The company previously sent letters to employees encouraging them not to unionize and implying benefits could be renegotiated.
UK tribunal examining Rockstar’s alleged union busting is extended into mid-November
The UK employment tribunal examining allegations of union busting against Rockstar Games has been extended into mid-November. Rockstar's lawyers requested more time for cross-examination, delaying the final ruling. The case centers on whether Rockstar illegally fired 34 employees for attempting to unionize.
Activision Quality Assurance workers vote to authorize strike
Quality Assurance workers at Activision have voted to authorize a strike, giving the Communications Workers of America (CWA) the power to call a strike if negotiations with the company continue to stall. The workers are seeking wage increases, guardrails on AI usage, and better contractor and accommodation rights. A bargaining committee member criticized Activision's perceived bad-faith negotiations.
Activision Workers Authorize Strike Ahead of Call of Duty Launch
The Activision QA union has voted to authorize a strike, citing two years of unresolved contract negotiations. This action comes ahead of the launch of the new Call of Duty title, potentially impacting its release.
GTA 6 squeaks into eligibility for The Game Awards 2026 by the smallest of margins - but can it break Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's record number of wins?
Grand Theft Auto 6 will be eligible for The Game Awards 2026 by a narrow margin, releasing on November 19, 2026, just before the November 20 cut-off. The article speculates on its potential to break Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's record of nine wins, noting the immense anticipation for Rockstar's title. Separately, Rockstar Games faces scrutiny over recent firings at Rockstar North, which affected employees are calling union-busting.
Rockstar 'union busting' tribunal extended to November 18th, days before GTA 6's release date
The employment tribunal between the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain and Rockstar Games has been extended to November 18th, just days before Grand Theft Auto 6's release. The case centers on allegations that Rockstar fired staff to prevent unionization efforts, a claim the company disputes, citing gross misconduct. Closing arguments will now take place in mid-November, with a judge's ruling to follow.
Rockstar Games’ Union-Busting Tribunal Hearing Will End One Day Before GTA 6’s Release
A tribunal hearing concerning Rockstar Games' alleged union-busting activities has been extended to October, with proceedings concluding just before the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar maintains that employees were dismissed for gross misconduct, not union activity, while the IWGB union and former employees argue the firings were retaliatory.
Rockstar HR manager claims he had "little interest" in staff's union membership status as fired GTA dev union-busting trail heats up
Rockstar Games is facing allegations of union-busting in an ongoing lawsuit where 31 former employees claim they were unlawfully dismissed due to their union membership. An HR manager, Charlie Kinloch, testified that he had "little interest" in evidence of unionization efforts, prioritizing concerns about disparagement and misinformation, especially in the lead-up to the Grand Theft Auto 6 release.
Report: Double Fine's union drive collapsed due to miscommunication and culture clash
A report details the collapse of Double Fine Productions' union drive in May 2026, attributing the failure to miscommunication and a clash between the studio's informal culture and US federal labor laws. The drive, reportedly the second at the company, was hampered by confusion over manager eligibility and internal conflicts, leading to its withdrawal.
Ubisoft Workers of Montreal Union petition to "preserve hybrid work" secures over 300 signatures
Ubisoft workers in Montreal have launched a petition to preserve hybrid work, gathering over 300 signatures. The union argues that return-to-office mandates negatively impact various employees and criticizes management's decisions. This follows a previous strike in February against restructuring and return-to-office policies.
