Rockstar Cracks Down on Union; “There Were No Leaks,” Says Studio Employee

Take-Two Interactive previously stated that it does not obstruct employees who wish to organize or join unions.

In November, Rockstar Games dismissed between 30 and 40 staff members, a move that prompted accusations of union-busting from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB). The company rejects these claims, insisting the departures involved individuals implicated in leaking confidential information.

However, a post on GTAForums from an alleged Rockstar employee describes the firings as essentially ambushes conducted through HR: people were summoned for a “brief discussion” and immediately handed termination letters alleging misconduct tied to Discord conversations. No evidence or specifics about the alleged offenses were provided. Those present at the office were reportedly escorted out within minutes; others received phone calls that lasted under two minutes before being sent termination notices. The group of dismissed employees reportedly included people on sick leave, some recovering from surgery, and others on family leave, leaving them in precarious financial situations.

The anonymous poster claims Rockstar has lost critical talent — senior developers, artists, designers, programmers, and producers with years of service and spotless records. He disputes the company’s official account, asserting the Discord channel in question was used solely for internal matters and union discussions about working conditions, not for leaking sensitive material. According to him, the layoffs affected exclusively union members.

The timing of the dismissals, the poster argues, was deliberate: the union chapter had just reached the membership threshold required to initiate formal collective bargaining over pay and workplace conditions. He characterizes the action as a direct attempt to undermine union recognition.

The forum’s moderators reportedly verified the poster’s identity and connection to Rockstar, which lends credence to his account.

Source: iXBT.games