UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed significant concern regarding the recent dismissals of employees at Rockstar Games. This situation has raised questions about union rights and employment law adherence in the gaming industry.
Prime Minister’s Response to Rockstar’s Employee Dismissals
During a parliamentary session on December 10, Starmer addressed inquiries from Chris Murray, the Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh. Murray raised concerns about Rockstar’s compliance with UK employment laws and the rights of workers to join unions. He reported that his attempts to engage with Rockstar had not reassured him about their adherence to these laws.
Key Facts of the Dismissals
- On October 30, Rockstar dismissed 31 employees for alleged “gross misconduct.”
- All terminated employees were members of a union.
- The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) denounced these actions as extreme unionbusting.
Starmer characterized the case as “deeply concerning” and emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights. He stated, “Every worker has the right to join a trade union,” and affirmed the need for an investigation into the matter.
Allegations Against Rockstar
Rocketed’s rationale for the dismissals involved allegations that some employees were sharing confidential information publicly. However, critics argue that the socalled confidential information pertained to discussions about Slack policies conducted on a private, inviteonly Discord server.
Employee Support and Protests
In response to the dismissals, a collective of 220 employees at Rockstar North signed a letter urging the company to reinstate their colleagues. Protests emerged outside Rockstar’s offices in London, Edinburgh, and a rally also took place at the company’s headquarters in Paris. These actions were supported by Le Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV).
Legal Action by IWGB
The IWGB has initiated legal claims against Rockstar, asserting that the dismissals represent unlawful actions against union members. The union accused Rockstar of ignoring requests for negotiations to resolve the issue amicably. This includes allegations of trade union victimization and blacklisting.
The outcomes of these events may set important precedents for employment practices in the gaming industry and the protection of workers’ rights in the UK.