After a series of layoffs at the creators of Grand Theft Auto games, a Canadian employee expressed shock over the sudden termination. The individual, who preferred to remain anonymous, was one of three developers let go from Rockstar Toronto in Oakville, Ont. Simultaneously, thirty-one employees at Rockstar’s U.K. branches were also dismissed on allegations of “gross misconduct” and leaking company information.
The dismissals sparked criticism from Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), who condemned the company’s actions as a severe act of union-busting within the gaming industry. This incident has reignited discussions on unionization in an industry notorious for its resistance, despite widespread reports of employee burnout due to excessive unpaid overtime and numerous layoffs.
According to the affected Canadian employee, the termination occurred on October 30 when each worker was individually informed of their breach of a non-disclosure agreement, leading to immediate dismissal from the premises. Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, did not respond to CBC News’ request for comments on the situation.
Nasr Ahmed, a staff organizer at Communications Workers of America (CWA) Canada, disputed Rockstar’s claims of information leaks, stating that no evidence was presented to support the allegations against the Canadian and U.K. employees. Ahmed corroborated reports that the terminated workers were part of an online group on Discord, where discussions on unionization and working conditions took place.
The former employee highlighted that the terminated workers, spanning various departments and seniority levels, were connected solely through their involvement in the Discord group. Ahmed criticized Rockstar’s approach, labeling it as “shameful” and warning of a “chilling effect” that could deter industry employees from discussing working conditions or unionizing.
In a statement to CBC News, Ontario’s Minister of Labour emphasized the importance of workers being able to voice concerns within their workplaces. The recent events at Rockstar prompted U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to express concern and pledge to investigate the matter.
Amidst these developments, other studios such as Id Software and Ubisoft Halifax have made strides towards unionization in the U.S. and Canada. The former Rockstar employee expressed hope for broader unionization in the industry, citing a desire for improved working conditions and recognition of employees’ contributions.
The gaming sector’s history of resistance to unions has led to apprehension among industry professionals, with fears of potential career repercussions for advocating unionization. The former employee stressed the dedication and talent of the affected workers, underscoring their desire to return to their roles and continue contributing to the industry.
