Boing Boing: Rockstar Games' latest delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 may have deeper roots than technical challenges. According to a verified whistleblower from within the company, the recent firing of 30-40 UK employees for alleged "gross misconduct" was actually a union-busting tactic disguised as disciplinary action.
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This happening makes me wonder if a larger movement will take place in Rockstar Industry’s workplace after such a clear demonstration of their union busting or if it will simply blow over just for their employees to be continually treated poorly so that GTA 6 can keep good on their promise (which hasn’t been made good on for years). Further, regardless of that movement, hopefully these workers can be adequately compensated for such a situation and that proper recourse is taken to both ensure their efforts aren’t meaningless, but also that their contributions will still be known when this game is released. Lastly, I wonder if buzz will continue to grow around this topic given the popularity of this game and if it will cause a divide or lowering of sales of such a highly anticipated game. Lots of uncertainty for Rockstar and their new game, and hopefully these last six months can be more of a celebration rather than a struggle to get the game finished.
This is not a new tactic for companies to use in attempts to union bust. Honestly, I’m a little surprised that there wasn’t already a union operating inside of the company before now. It will be interesting to see if the union crumbles from these firings. I also wonder how firings are handled by the union representatives for example I believe in the United States if you can prove you were fired for union activity and not for documented disciplinary actions you’re likely to get compensation and possibly reinstated to your positions. With this being in the UK I wonder how it will be handled. Once again not surprised that the release of GTA 6 is delayed. I would almost not hold my breath waiting for the videogame to be released. I hope that their coworkers who hadn’t already started participating in union activity would use this as an eye-opener and join their counterparts in the unionization.
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