Rockstar Games workers in the UK will take part in a potentially historic union vote in just a few weeks.
The vote will run from November 12 to November 26 and determine whether the IWGB Union at Rockstar is officially recognised, allowing a bargaining unit to formally negotiate with Rockstar on key workplace issues.
A recognition deal agreed upon by workers and management would give employees more influence over pay and bonuses, overtime, redundancies, flexible working arrangements, and generative AI policies.
Staff belonging to the IWGB Rockstar Game Workers Union have been meeting with Rockstar bosses since July to ratify the terms of that recognition deal.
If the IWGB Rockstar Game Workers Union wins the vote, they will succeed in forming the largest recognised union in the UK game industry.
The vote will coincide with the conclusion of a high-profile union busting dispute between Rockstar and 31 fired UK union workers, who allege they were ousted for engaging in trade union activity. The Grand Theft Auto maker claims they were fired for leaking confidential information.
Closing submissions from both parties will be put before an employment tribunal in Glasgow on November 17 and November 18, just one day before Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19.
Rockstar Game Workers Union Committee Member, Shanti Easton-Steel, said the vote is about "ensuring employees at Rockstar get honesty and openness surrounding the decisions that affect them."
"When management choices are kept hidden, we can’t properly address issues like the gender pay gap, the uneven and ever-changing policies on overtime pay, or the concerns many co-workers hold around job security post-release," she added.
"This is our moment to secure a window onto the decisions that shape our lives, and a seat at the table to improve them. I’m immensely proud of the games Rockstar gives its fans - I want to be equally proud of the voice Rockstar gives its staff."
Chris is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience covering the video game industry. He was formerly news editor at Game Developer and is currently the founder and editor of this resplendent website.
