IWGB Game Workers have taken a significant step forward in their campaign to have Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto 6, acknowledge their union. A letter signed by 22 trade union leaders has been sent to Rockstar’s studio director Jennifer Kolbe and head of HR Rob Spampinato, urging the company to engage in negotiations with the IWGB.

The letter highlights the IWGB’s success in uniting workers in the video game industry, citing their recognition agreement at ZA/UM. It emphasizes that Rockstar employees have chosen the IWGB as their union and calls for the company to respect this choice. The letter stresses the importance of every worker, including those at Rockstar, having the right to join a union.

22 trade union leaders, representing over 1.3 million workers, are urging Rockstar Games to recognize the Game Workers Union. Read the full letter below. #Solidarity #StrikeMap

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The signatories of the letter come from various trade backgrounds, including Artists’ Union England, the British Medical Association, and the National Education Union. Together, these 22 trade unions represent more than 1.3 million workers. Their involvement in the letter underscores the significance of having a recognized union at Rockstar.

Recent reports have shed light on alleged practices at Rockstar, including the imposition of crunch on employees, a widening gender pay gap, and the use of bonuses to enforce compliance. The IWGB is assisting workers who were terminated by Rockstar, with claims of union busting, by challenging the dismissals in an employment tribunal. A final hearing is scheduled for September to determine if these firings were unlawful due to union activities.