The Prime Minister of the UK has expressed serious concern regarding the layoffs at Rockstar

The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced that government officials will investigate allegations of union suppression at Rockstar. This comes after 31 employees, all union members, were dismissed by the company on charges of "gross misconduct" on October 30. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has strongly criticized the move as a significant act of union busting within the gaming industry.

During a parliamentary session on December 10, Scottish Labour MP Chris Murray expressed concerns after discussions with Rockstar, stating the company did not assure compliance with employment laws. Starmer labeled the firings as "deeply concerning" and emphasized the right of all workers to unionize, pledging that the government would strive to protect workers from unjust repercussions due to union involvement.

Rockstar defended its actions, explaining it targeted certain employees who allegedly shared confidential material in a public arena. According to People Make Games, the contested information involved internal Slack policy discussions shared on a private Discord server.

In response to the dismissals, 220 employees of Rockstar North signed a letter demanding the reinstatement of their colleagues. Demonstrations were also organized at Rockstar North and Take-Two Interactive's offices in London and Edinburgh, with further protests led by members of Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) outside the company's Paris offices.

The IWGB has taken legal steps against Rockstar, accusing the company of union victimization and blacklisting. The union claims that Rockstar declined to negotiate, leading to the lodging of formal legal proceedings. The IWGB asserts these actions are unlawful, underscoring their commitment to defending their members' rights.