Protests erupt at Rockstar Games offices amid claims of union busting after staff dismissals

Protesters gathered at Rockstar Games’ UK offices accusing the studio of union busting after mass staff firings

Protests have taken place outside Rockstar North’s Edinburgh studio and Take-Two Interactive’s London headquarters after the dismissal of dozens of employees, with demonstrators accusing the company of “union busting.”

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) organised the demonstrations following reports that between 30 and 40 staff were dismissed across Rockstar’s UK and Canadian studios. The union alleges the move was aimed at stopping unionisation efforts within the company.

Protesters gathered outside the offices on November 6, calling for the reinstatement of the affected workers and back pay. Banners and chants could be heard demanding accountability, with some participants shouting, “Rockstar, Rockstar, you’re disgusting. We charge you with union busting.”

During the London protest, an anonymous statement from one of the dismissed employees was read aloud, claiming the termination happened “without warning, without evidence, and without a chance to speak.” The statement added, “We were supporting each other, trying to understand our workplace and make it better. To lose my job for that feels deeply unfair.”

Rockstar Games has denied the allegations, maintaining that the dismissals were due to “leaking company secrets” rather than union activity. “This was in no way related to people’s right to join a union or engage in union activities,” a spokesperson told Bloomberg.

Parent company Take-Two Interactive issued a similar statement, describing the dismissals as cases of “gross misconduct and for no other reason.”

Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer voiced support for the workers, urging Rockstar to “reinstate them now” and “get around the table” to negotiate fair conditions.

The controversy comes as Rockstar prepares for the May 2026 release of Grand Theft Auto 6, with development reportedly in its final phase following previous concerns about employee workloads.