GTA 6 Studio Rockstar Games Accused of Union Busting After Employee Layoffs in UK and Canada

Rockstar Games has laid off over 30 employees across its UK and Canada offices, sparking accusations of union-busting from a trade union, while parent company Take-Two insists the dismissals were due to “gross misconduct.”

Union accuses Rockstar of union‑busting after GTA 6 staff layoffs

According to the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), “all of those dismissed at Rockstar UK were members of the IWGB Game Workers Union Discord channel, and appear to have been targeted for this reason.”

In a press release, IWGB president Alex Marshall didn’t mince words, calling the move “one of the most blatant and ruthless acts of union busting in the history of the games industry.” He went further, accusing Rockstar of showing “flagrant contempt for the law and for the lives of the workers who bring in their billions,” adding that such actions insult both fans and the wider industry.

Take-Two Interactive, however, strongly denied the allegations. Spokesperson Alan Lewis told Bloomberg that the firings were strictly related to “gross misconduct, and for no other reason,” while reaffirming the company’s support for Rockstar’s “ambitions and approach.”

Despite Take-Two’s defense, the IWGB says it plans to mount a “full and robust legal challenge” against this unlawful retaliation.

“The Rockstar Union remains undeterred,” said Spring McParlin-Jones, Chair of the IWGB Game Workers Union. “Next year, Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to make upwards of $10 billion. Such a flagrant attack on workers’ rights from such a valuable studio sends a very clear and shocking message that money matters more than people.”

Rockstar’s labor relations have been under scrutiny for years, especially since reports of “crunch culture” surfaced during Red Dead Redemption 2’s development. While the company has publicly pledged to improve its workplace environment, recent moves suggest otherwise.

Last year, Rockstar came under fire for enforcing a mandatory five-day office return policy. Take-Two, meanwhile, conducted multiple rounds of layoffs in 2024 and 2025 as part of company-wide restructuring.