Rockstar union sets out no-crunch demands after first meeting

The Rockstar Game Workers Union has published an update on its campaign for recognition at Rockstar Games, saying it has now held a first meeting with the company and set out what it wants from any agreement.

Writing on X, the union described a studio it believes is achievable, listing five conditions.

Crunch is the demand the union placed most weight on, saying it would work towards a stronger process for avoiding the extended overtime periods that have accompanied several of Rockstar’s largest releases. It is also asking for the return of home working, which Rockstar ended in early 2024 citing security concerns.

How the dispute got here

Rockstar dismissed more than 30 staff across its studios in the United Kingdom, Canada and India in October 2025. Some employees accused the company of union-busting; Rockstar said the dismissals followed gross misconduct by the workers involved.

Organising continued after that, with protests outside Rockstar’s Edinburgh and London offices and a response from the British parliament, according to Dexerto. The union has not yet secured voluntary recognition from the company, and says it has a roadmap for what it hopes will be a quick negotiation process.

The union characterised the first meeting as a step in the right direction and said it was able to make the case that workers’ rights need to be heard. Dexerto notes that strike action ahead of the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 has previously been raised in reporting by The Guardian, with the union describing itself as being in a strong enough position to pursue formal recognition.

Rockstar has not publicly responded to the union’s list of demands, and it is not yet clear whether the company will grant recognition or how the negotiations will proceed.