Rockstar Games Faces UK Parliament Over Layoffs of 30 Employees

Rockstar Games is under scrutiny following the termination of at least 30 employees, a move that has reached the floor of the UK Parliament. The layoffs coincided with a delay in the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, leading to significant backlash from affected workers and their supporters.

The company stated that the firings were a response to internal leaks of “confidential information,” asserting that these actions were not related to employees’ rights to unionize. Rockstar accused former employees of sharing confidential discussions in a public forum, which they claimed justified the terminations. In contrast, Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, argued that the discussions occurred on a private Discord server and primarily revolved around working conditions — topics he emphasized are protected by law.

The fallout from these layoffs has sparked protests outside Rockstar’s offices, with former employees and advocates asserting that the company failed to adhere to labor laws designed to protect workers.

In a recent session of the House of Commons, Christine Jardine, the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, addressed the layoffs. She highlighted the impact on her constituents, many of whom worked at the company’s Edinburgh office. “Video game giant Rockstar has sacked more than 30 workers across the UK, including my constituents working at their Edinburgh office,” Jardine stated. She urged government ministers to take action to support the displaced workers and prevent such incidents from recurring.

During her remarks, Jardine noted, “Several of my constituents have been affected, and some came to see me last week to express concerns. They claim they have been sacked because they were trying to unionize, and were discussing working conditions in private.” She emphasized the contrast between Rockstar’s claims of gross misconduct and the employees’ assertions regarding their right to discuss workplace conditions.

Jardine has taken proactive steps by reaching out to Rockstar for clarification on the matter. “I have written to Rockstar and asked for information on the issue,” she said, expressing a desire to meet with relevant ministers to explore potential support for the affected employees.

The response from Sir Alan Campbell, leader of the House of Commons, offered a glimmer of hope for changes in the industry. “The sector she talks about is really important to the growth of the economy, but so too are rights at work,” he acknowledged. Campbell committed to raising the issue with ministers to consider what actions could be taken to address the situation.

As the situation unfolds, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain has been contacted for further comment, though a response is still pending. The controversy surrounding Rockstar is not new, as the company also recently made headlines in Poland regarding the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6.

This ongoing dispute highlights the challenges facing workers in the gaming industry and the critical need for dialogue between employees and employers. The outcome of this situation could have lasting implications for labor practices within the sector.