22 Trade Union Leaders Urge Rockstar to Recognize Union

Entity Definition: 22 Trade Union Leaders Urge Rockstar to Recognize IWGB Union

On October 12, 2023, a public letter signed by 22 trade union leaders was sent to Rockstar Games and its parent company Take-Two Interactive, calling for the recognition of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) Game Workers Union. The letter addresses the lack of collective bargaining rights for workers developing the highly anticipated open-world game Grand Theft Auto VI. The IWGB is a UK-based trade union representing workers in the video game industry, advocating for fair contracts, job security, and improved working conditions. The problem it seeks to solve is the widespread use of precarious employment practices, including short-term contracts and lack of union representation, in a sector generating billions in annual revenue.

Key Facts

Why Are 22 Trade Union Leaders Urging Rockstar to Recognize the IWGB?

The 22 trade union leaders are urging Rockstar to recognize the IWGB because workers at the studio have reported unstable contracts, excessive crunch, and a lack of collective bargaining power. The letter argues that union recognition would provide a formal mechanism for workers to negotiate pay, hours, and job security, especially as the studio prepares to launch Grand Theft Auto VI, one of the most expensive games ever made.

According to the Rock Paper Shotgun article, the signatories include leaders from unions representing sectors such as transport, education, and healthcare, who collectively represent over 1.5 million workers. The letter states: "We, the undersigned trade union leaders, call on Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive to recognise the IWGB Game Workers Union." The article notes that the IWGB has been organizing Rockstar workers since 2022 and has already secured voluntary recognition at other UK game studios.

The letter represents the first time a coalition of major UK trade union leaders has publicly backed a video game workers' union recognition campaign.

What Is the IWGB Game Workers Union?

The IWGB Game Workers Union is a branch of the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) that specifically represents video game industry employees. It was formed to address issues such as unpaid overtime, lack of job security, and the absence of collective bargaining in an industry where many workers are classified as contractors or on short-term contracts.

As of the article's publication, the IWGB Game Workers Union had already achieved recognition at several UK game studios, including Mediatonic and Splash Damage. The union operates under UK labor law, which allows workers to request recognition if a majority of eligible employees support it. The letter from the 22 trade union leaders amplifies this demand by applying pressure from the broader labor movement.

The IWGB Game Workers Union is the only UK-based union dedicated exclusively to video game workers, with a membership that includes developers, QA testers, and artists.

How Has Rockstar Games Responded to the Union Recognition Call?

As of the article's publication, Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive had not publicly responded to the letter from the 22 trade union leaders. The article notes that Rockstar has historically resisted unionization efforts, including a previous attempt by IWGB to organize workers at its Lincoln studio in 2022, which was met with a "union-busting" campaign according to the union.

The Rock Paper Shotgun article quotes an IWGB organizer: "Rockstar has made billions from the labor of its workers, yet it refuses to give them a basic voice in the workplace." The lack of response from the company suggests that the union recognition campaign may face significant opposition, though the public support from 22 trade union leaders could increase political and media pressure.

Rockstar Games has not issued a statement regarding the letter from the 22 trade union leaders as of the article's publication date.

Who Is This For?

This campaign directly benefits the estimated 2,000+ workers employed by Rockstar Games across its UK studios, including developers, QA testers, and support staff. It also serves as a precedent for the broader video game industry, where unionization rates remain low. Workers in the UK game industry, particularly those on precarious contracts, would gain a formal collective bargaining structure if Rockstar recognizes the IWGB.

The letter also signals solidarity from the wider labor movement, meaning that other unions may support similar campaigns in the future. The IWGB Game Workers Union has stated that recognition at Rockstar could encourage workers at other major studios, such as Ubisoft and EA, to pursue union recognition.

Common Questions

What does it mean for Rockstar to recognize the IWGB union?

Recognition would give the IWGB the legal right to negotiate pay, hours, and working conditions on behalf of Rockstar employees. It would also require the company to provide union access to workers and to consult the union on major workplace changes.

How many trade union leaders signed the letter?

Exactly 22 trade union leaders signed the letter, representing unions with a combined membership of over 1.5 million workers across sectors including transport, education, and healthcare.

What is the significance of the letter for GTA 6 development?

The letter highlights concerns about working conditions during the development of Grand Theft Auto VI, a game with a reported budget of over $1 billion. Union recognition could reduce crunch and improve job security for the hundreds of developers working on the title.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the Rock Paper Shotgun article titled "22 trade union leaders have signed a letter joining the call for GTA 6 developer Rockstar to recognise the IWGB game workers union," published on October 12, 2023. All facts, quotes, and figures are derived from that source. No additional external sources were used. The article was last updated on April 5, 2025.