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Rockstar Video games has launched a brand new assertion relating to the scenario surrounding the fired employees within the UK and internationally, as soon as once more claiming the 30+ staffers have been let go not as a result of they have been attempting to type a union, however as a result of they have been breaching firm coverage.
Particularly, Rockstar Video games instructed GameSpot that the motion was taken in opposition to the employees as a result of they have been discussing “particular recreation options from upcoming and unannounced titles” and different “confidential data” in a public discussion board.
Rockstar mentioned this was “in breach of firm coverage and their authorized obligations.”
The fired staffers and a union looking for to signify them mentioned the Rockstar employees have been fired for his or her efforts to determine a union. Rockstar pushed again, telling GameSpot, “Claims that these dismissals have been linked to union membership or actions are fully false and deceptive.”
That is what Rockstar has been saying for the reason that firings occurred in October. On the time the motion got here to gentle, Rockstar mentioned the employees have been let go “for gross misconduct, and for no different motive.” In November, Rockstar the firings have been in “no means associated to individuals’s proper to hitch a union or interact in union actions.”
A spokesperson for the Impartial Employees’ Union of Nice Britain (IWGB) mentioned the affected staffers have been concerned in unionizing efforts and mentioned Rockstar is responsible of “one of the vital blatant and ruthless acts of union-busting within the historical past of the video games business.”
IWGB told Game Developer that Rockstar builders within the UK have a “statutory proper to interact in personal dialog with union organizers that supersedes any employment contract.”
IWGB president Alex Marshall mentioned Rockstar’s administration are “exhibiting they do not care about delays to GTA 6, and that they are prioritizing union-busting by focusing on the very individuals who make the sport.”
The scenario escalated all the way in which to the UK Prime Minister. Keir Starmer just lately mentioned it was a “deeply regarding case,” making the purpose that each employee has the fitting to hitch a union. He added, “We’re decided to strengthen employees rights and guarantee they do not face unfair penalties for being a part of a union.”
A subsequent report urged that Rockstar fired the devs over messages on Discord concerning the firm’s revised inner Slack insurance policies. Over 200 Rockstar workers have demanded that the fired devs be reinstated, and there have been a number of protests at Rockstar workplaces in assist of the employees. For now, the difficulty stays unresolved.
Rockstar’s present massive mission is GTA 6, which is about for launch in November 2026. The corporate just lately launched a brand new model of Crimson Lifeless Redemption for contemporary consoles and cell, and new-generation ports of Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 are mentioned to be within the works as effectively.