Following Rockstar Games’ recent decision to lay off over 30 employees – a move many believe was intended to discourage unionization – the UK government is now addressing the situation. During a recent parliamentary session, MP Chris Murray questioned Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the layoffs, as reported by IGN.
During a recent session, MP Murray stated that Rockstar Games, a video game company in their district, terminated 31 employees last month without providing proof or allowing union representation. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) claims this was an attempt to discourage union activity. After meeting with Rockstar, Murray expressed continued concerns about potential illegal practices and said the company didn’t adequately address those concerns or demonstrate compliance with employment law.
Considering this government has significantly improved workers’ rights for the first time in decades, does the Prime Minister believe all businesses, no matter how profitable, should adhere to UK employment laws and that all workers should have the freedom to join a union?
When asked about the issue, Starmer reiterated that workers have the right to join a union. He didn’t make any firm commitments, but said ministers would investigate Rockstar Games’ actions and consider what steps, if any, could be taken.
Honestly, it’s really worrying to hear about this. I think everyone deserves the right to join a union if they want to, and we need to make sure workers aren’t punished for doing so. I’m hoping our team looks into this specific situation – the one Murray brought up – and keeps him in the loop with what they find out. It’s just not right if someone’s getting unfairly treated for standing up for their rights, you know?
Last month, reports surfaced alleging that Rockstar Games fired employees to prevent them from unionizing. The company initially claimed the firings were due to employee misconduct. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, backed this up, with spokesperson Alan Lewis stating the employees were fired for serious misconduct and no other reason. However, Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB), strongly refuted this, calling the actions a clear attempt to suppress union efforts.
Marshall stated that Rockstar recently engaged in a particularly aggressive and harsh effort to prevent unionization, marking a low point in the history of the gaming industry. He added that this disregard for both legal standards and the well-being of its employees – who generate substantial revenue for the company – is disrespectful to its fanbase and the wider industry.
A new report reveals that the employees fired for “gross misconduct” were simply discussing working conditions, employee rights, and union topics on a Discord channel. This happened after Rockstar Games removed several non-work-related channels – an event known as “the Slack purge.” Since being fired, the employees and the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union have been protesting outside Rockstar’s offices across the UK.
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2025-12-10 19:11