Independent Workers of Great BritainAn employment tribunal for staff who worked for Rockstar Games, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto, has begun its final hearing on Thursday.
Edinburgh-based studio Rockstar North is facing allegations from the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) over the mass dismissal of 31 workers in October last year.
Affected staff, some of whom were working on the highly anticipated release of GTA VI, were joined by a crowd outside the Glasgow Tribunal Centre for a rally to mark the first day of the hearing.
Proceedings will run until October 16, concluding weeks before the launch of GTA VI on November 19.
The IWGB say workers are seeking reinstatement or, failing that, compensation, as well as a finding from the tribunal that their dismissals were “unfair”.
The union alleges that workers were targeted by the company because of their union ties.
Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB Union, says: “We believe Rockstar has tried to get away with Grand Theft Employment Rights. After a year of fighting to get answers, we hope this tribunal will finally back them into a corner and bring the truth to light.
“As the world gets its first proper look at GTA VI, this hearing will give people a chance to look behind the scenes at what happened to the workers who helped make it.”
However, Rockstar said employees were dismissed for gross misconduct following the sharing of confidential company information.
A spokesperson for Rockstar Games said before the tribunal: “Rockstar Games’ position has been clear and consistent throughout.
“Individuals across the UK and Canada were dismissed for gross misconduct following the sharing of confidential company information, not because of alleged trade union membership or activity.
“We reject the claims and will defend them vigorously before the tribunal.”
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