A coalition of 22 trade union leaders has issued a letter to Rockstar Games, formally joining the call for the developer to recognise the IWGB Game Workers union. The letter, addressed to studio director Jennifer Kolbe and head of HR Rob Spampinato, urges the company to begin bargaining with the union.
"Workers at Rockstar have chosen the IWGB for their union, and it is only right that Rockstar respects their choice and agrees to bargain with them," the letter states. The signatories represent a broad range of sectors, including the British Medical Association, the National Education Union, and the Social Workers Union, collectively representing more than 1.3 million workers.
Quick Facts
- Target: Rockstar studio director Jennifer Kolbe and head of HR Rob Spampinato.
- Signatories: 22 trade union leaders representing over 1.3 million workers.
- Legal Context: An employment tribunal regarding the dismissal of over 30 staff members is set for September 2026.
Ongoing Labor Disputes
The push for recognition follows allegations from current employees regarding working conditions at the studio. Recent reports from three UK-based Rockstar staff members claim that crunch is effectively baked into employment contracts. Furthermore, employees have alleged that the studio oversees a widening gender pay gap and uses bonuses to encourage worker compliance.
The IWGB is currently involved in legal proceedings regarding the firing of more than 30 staff members in October 2025. The union alleges that these dismissals were an act of union busting. A final hearing is scheduled for September 2026, where a tribunal will determine if the staff were unlawfully terminated for their union activities.
The IWGB previously achieved the first recognition agreement in the video game sector with developer ZA/UM. The union leaders involved in this latest letter argue that such recognition is a necessary step for workers at Rockstar, asserting that "every worker, including those at Rockstar, deserves to be and should be part of a union."