'Grand Theft Employment!' — Protests Erupt Outside Take-Two and Rockstar North as Fired Staff Deny Leaks Action

‘Grand Theft Employment!’ — Protests Erupt Outside Take-Two and Rockstar North as Fired Staff Deny Leaks

In a dramatic showdown, former employees of Rockstar Games have staged protests outside the UK headquarters of Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar North. These demonstrations arise from allegations of unjust dismissals tied to leaked company information.

Protests Amplify as Employees Demand Justice

Organized by the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB), protests unfolded in front of Take-Two’s offices in London and Rockstar’s Edinburgh location on November 6. Reports suggest up to 40 employees were dismissed under accusations of “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.” On social media, clips emerged showing fired staff criticizing Take-Two and Rockstar, while holding signs and demanding compensation and reinstatement.

Recently, it was reported that Rockstar dismissed 30 to 40 employees, an action the IWGB condemned as blatant union busting. At the time, Take-Two justified the terminations as necessary due to “gross misconduct.” Reports further indicated the fired employees were part of a private union chat group on Discord, with IWGB claiming their dismissal was motivated by union activities.

Controversy Over Claims of Leaked Information

A new report carried statements from Take-Two emphasizing that the dismissals were due to breaching company policies by leaking secrets in a public forum, with no connection to union rights. IWGB countered, arguing the firings were an attempt to curb unionization efforts. The union’s Alex Marshall accused Rockstar of fearing discussions among staff about fair workplace practices and prioritizing union suppression over game development.

One outspoken former employee expressed a feeling of injustice, stating the dismissal was “deeply unfair” and occurred “without warning, without evidence, and without a chance to speak for myself.” They emphasized their intentions were solely to support workplace improvements.

Political support came from Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, who urged Rockstar to reinstate the workers and negotiate better pay and conditions.

Security Concerns Shadow GTA 6 Release

The protests come amidst Rockstar’s heightened security measures, following significant leaks related to the upcoming release of GTA 6, expected in May next year. Despite these issues, Take-Two’s CEO assured that no assets were compromised and stressed ongoing vigilance in cybersecurity.

Last year, Rockstar mandated a return to office for enhanced productivity and security, a decision criticized by workers who claimed it broke promises and disregarded their input.

Image credit: Ross Greer / Twitter.

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