The recent termination of 31 employees at Rockstar’s Edinburgh branch has raised concerns over workers’ rights and union activities. A local city councillor is urging the council to support these individuals, who believe their firings are connected to their trade union organizing efforts.
Council Urged to Support Fired Rockstar Employees
Green councillor Dan Heap is advocating for the affected workers at the upcoming fair work committee meeting. He has proposed a motion aimed at addressing their situation. Heap argues that the council should:
- Provide information on welfare rights for the impacted employees.
- Assist them in applying for any available financial support.
Furthermore, Heap’s motion requests that the council leader formally communicate with Rockstar regarding the dismissals, expressing concern and urging the company to reinstate the employees.
Background on the Firings
According to Rockstar, the terminations were due to “distributing and discussing confidential information in a public forum.” However, the affected workers and the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain contend that the firings were directly linked to their organizing efforts within the company.
Earlier this month, the union initiated legal proceedings concerning the dismissals. Workers have indicated that discussions regarding union activities took place on an invite-only Discord server, claiming it should be protected under trade union law.
Impact on Upcoming Projects
Currently, Rockstar’s Edinburgh office is focused on developing the next installment of the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, scheduled for release in November 2024. The case surrounding the employees’ firings highlights the ongoing tension between labor rights and corporate management practices in the gaming industry.
As the situation unfolds, the call for council support emphasizes the importance of protecting workers’ rights, especially in an industry that continues to grow rapidly.
