Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that government ministers will examine Rockstar Games' dismissal of over 30 employees at its UK studio. The firings, which occurred at the end of October, have drawn accusations of union busting from affected workers and supporters. MP Chris Murray, who met with the company, expressed doubts about the process followed.
Background on the Firings
At the end of October, Rockstar Games terminated more than 30 staff members at Rockstar North in the United Kingdom. The company attributed the dismissals to "gross misconduct," but details emerged suggesting the actions stemmed from Discord messages criticizing revised internal Slack policies. Many of the fired developers were members of or organizing with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), leading to claims of union busting.
Government Involvement
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh MP Chris Murray raised the issue in Parliament and met with Rockstar representatives. The company initially insisted on a non-disclosure agreement for the discussion, which Murray declined. Following the meeting, Murray voiced concerns, stating, "Rockstar fired 31 employees without providing evidence or union representation." He added that the encounter only deepened his worries about compliance with UK employment law and the necessity of the dismissals.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded during a session, calling the case "deeply concerning." He emphasized workers' rights to union membership and affirmed, "Our ministers will look into the particular case the member raises and will keep him updated."
Ongoing Support and Protests
Over 200 Rockstar employees have called for the reinstatement of their colleagues. Protests have occurred outside Rockstar offices in solidarity with the workers. The matter remains unresolved, with no further actions confirmed from the company or government at this time.
