Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto, faces allegations of “blatant and callous union sabotage” after reportedly terminating over 30 employees whom it claimed were attempting to unionize.

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), representing workers in the gaming sector, stated that a UK-based employee was dismissed last week for being part of the IWGB’s games union Discord channel. The workers believe they were targeted for this reason, and the union asserts that this dismissal was illegal and retaliatory.

The Guardian has reached out to Rockstar Games for a response. In a statement to Bloomberg, the company accused the dismissed employees of distributing confidential information in a “public forum,” arguing that “this does not affect anyone’s right to join a union or partake in union activities.”

The IWGB countered this claim, stating that the workers communicated solely through private and legally protected trade union channels, with no information being leaked publicly.

These layoffs occurred just before the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. Analysts predict this launch will be the most significant in gaming history, expected to generate billions in revenue. Since its release in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V has generated $8.6 billion, according to the latest financial data from game publisher Take-Two.

On Thursday, the union staged protests outside the British headquarters of Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive in London and the developer’s Edinburgh office, Rockstar North. One protester held a sign that read “Grand Theft Hiring,” while another carried a placard saying “Is the Union Broken?” This refers to the “crushed” screen displayed when players are arrested in Grand Theft Auto.

IWGB organizer Fred Carter participated in the picket in Edinburgh. He shared with the BBC that he was there to support employees who had been dismissed “without warning” and “without reason.”

“We believe these dismissals were due to their trade union membership, which is a protected right in the UK,” he stated. “We urge people to support our cause, demand our jobs back, and hold Rockstar accountable.”

In a statement shared by the IWGB, Peter (a pseudonym) one of the terminated employees, remarked: “It’s uplifting to see so many colleagues rallying behind us and holding management accountable. Clearly, this is an instance of egregious union-busting. Rockstar employs numerous talented developers, all vital in creating the games we produce.”

IWGB Chairman Alex Marshall emphasized that Rockstar Games’ actions have led to a workplace where “hardworking staff are afraid to speak privately about their rights for a fairer workplace and collective voice.”

“Management has shown they are more concerned with union suppression than with the delays of GTA VI, by targeting those who contribute to the game’s creation. Recently, Rockstar has benefited from: [tens of millions] due to tax relief…” he added, noting that “only non-rock star employees participating in the union’s Discord channel were union organizers.”

In recent years, the video game industry has experienced a rise in unionization efforts to combat longstanding practices like “crunching” (extensive unpaid overtime). In 2018, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser revealed that employees were “working 100 hours a week” in preparation for Red Dead Redemption 2, bringing scrutiny to the company’s employee treatment. At that time, Rockstar North’s Rob Nelson candidly stated: “We always strive to improve our working conditions and the balance of our output, and we will not cease our efforts toward improvement.”

On Thursday, the developer announced that Grand Theft Auto VI, initially set for release on May 26, has been rescheduled for late 2026. Development of the game, which has faced multiple postponements, continues with the support of the Edinburgh team.