"Former staff at the firm behind Grand Theft Auto have told the BBC that a "devastating" mass sacking took place allegedly because they tried to unionise. Some 31 employees were dismissed in October for what Rockstar North called "gross misconduct". The majority were based at the gaming giant's Edinburgh headquarters, with former workers claiming they were penalised for discussing working conditions in a private online forum."
"Rockstar North said it was incorrect to suggest the dismissals were linked to union membership or activities. It said it took action after staff discussed confidential information, including specific game features from upcoming titles, in a public forum. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) called it a "ruthless act of union-busting". Rockstar North is one of the UK's largest game developers."
"Jordan Garland, a former senior production co-ordinator, said many staff members wanted to unionise because "we were so passionate about the industry and that workplace in particular". "We just saw it as something we could do to make it better for everyone," he added. "So it's a little bit devastating because it's an industry that I love, and I think we all love. We couldn't really see ourselves anywhere else.""
Thirty-one employees were dismissed by Rockstar North in October, most from the Edinburgh headquarters, after the company alleged gross misconduct. Former staff say the dismissals followed internal discussions about working conditions and attempts to unionise in a private online forum. Rockstar North denies the actions were linked to union activity and states the dismissals followed discussion of confidential information and upcoming game features in a public forum. The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain described the sackings as union-busting. Protests have occurred outside Rockstar North offices, and GTA 6 remains a tightly controlled, high-profile upcoming release.
Read at www.bbc.com
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