Rockstar Workers’ Union Case Heads to Tribunal in Glasgow

An employment tribunal into Rockstar Games’ dismissal of staff who were organising with a union began in Glasgow on September 10, 2026. Former workers rallied outside the Glasgow Tribunal Centre as the hearing opened, and it is scheduled to run until October 16, 2026.

Background to the case

Rockstar dismissed 34 employees in November 2025: 31 in the UK who were members of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), and three in Canada who were involved in union activity. Rockstar says the workers were dismissed for gross misconduct after sharing confidential company information in private Discord channels.

In its statement, the company said the individuals were dismissed “following the sharing of confidential company information, not because of alleged trade union membership”. The IWGB argues that the firings were unlawful, that they targeted workers for their union involvement, and that the workers were denied proper procedural protections.

What the workers want

The claimants are seeking a finding that their dismissals were unfair, along with reinstatement or compensation. Former employee Jason Lewis said “justice at last feels within reach” and described the fight as an attempt “to draw a line in the sand for any employer that thinks it can attack workers for unionising”. IWGB president Alex Marshall said the case “is about more than one studio” and concerns the right to organise.

Tribunal timeline

The hearing is listed from September 10 to October 16, 2026. Evidence and witness testimony will be heard across that period. UK employment tribunals often reserve their decision and issue a written judgment some time after the hearing ends, so a ruling may not arrive on the final day. Either side could also seek an appeal, which would extend the process further.

Possible impact on GTA VI

The tribunal concludes about a month before Grand Theft Auto VI’s scheduled November 19, 2026 release. There is no indication that the case affects the game’s development or launch date. The impact is more likely to be reputational and legal: an adverse ruling could bring compensation orders and closer scrutiny of how large studios handle internal communications and union activity during major productions.

Rockstar, known for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, has long been at the centre of industry debates about crunch. The union effort is part of a wider push by game workers for better conditions and job security.

Why it matters

For game developers, including the growing workforce in the Gulf’s expanding studio sector, the case is a test of how employment law treats organising on private chat platforms. A ruling for the workers would strengthen protections around union activity; a ruling for Rockstar would support employers’ ability to enforce confidentiality rules strictly.

For players, the case will not change when GTA VI arrives, but it adds context to the working conditions behind one of the biggest entertainment launches ever. The outcome will be watched closely by unions and studios alike.