Rockstar UK Union Vote Hits GTA 6 Launch

Rockstar's UK staff will decide their union fate on the same day Grand Theft Auto 6 drops. The secret ballot runs from November 12 through November 26, overlapping the November 19 launch of GTA 6. Workers are voting to join the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain, or IWGB. If approved, it would become the biggest recognised video-game union in the UK. Union talks have been ongoing with Rockstar management since July, aiming for a recognition deal. The deal would give members a say on pay, bonuses, overtime, redundancies, flexible hours and AI policies. Earlier, staff pressed for voluntary recognition before GTA 6, but the company insisted on a vote. The vote coincides with a tribunal hearing over a disputed dismissal of 31 employees. Rockstar says those workers were fired for gross misconduct, not union busting. The tribunal has heard claims of a "mole" leaking union Discord chats to management. Closing submissions are scheduled for November 17 and 18, just before the vote ends.