Rockstar UK staff schedule union recognition ballot alongside Grand Theft Auto 6 console debut

Rockstar Games employees in the UK will vote on whether to formally recognize the IWGB Rockstar Game Workers Union in a ballot running from November 12 to November 26. The two-week voting window directly surrounds the November 19 console release of Grand Theft Auto 6. If approved, the branch will become the largest video game union in the United Kingdom, representing staff across all UK offices. [1][2]

A successful vote would grant workers collective bargaining power over salaries, overtime, redundancies, parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and the studio's generative AI policies. Rockstar management has been negotiating recognition terms with the union since July. Head of publishing Jennifer Kolbe signaled that leadership will not oppose the outcome, telling Bloomberg, "We go where the team goes. So if they want a union, they will have a union." [1][2]

The vote coincides with the conclusion of an ongoing employment tribunal in Scotland regarding Rockstar's dismissal of 31 employees in October 2025. Union officials previously denounced the firings as retaliatory union-busting, while Rockstar claimed the staff leaked confidential game information via Discord. Closing arguments in that case are expected shortly before the new game hits store shelves. [1][2]