The UK Government said in December 2025 that it was looking into matters relating to Rockstar North after workers were dismissed amid a dispute over union organising. That statement was not a finding that the dismissals were unlawful, and the employer and the union give different accounts of why they happened. As of 8 October 2026, the employment tribunal hearing was scheduled to continue until 16 October; no final ruling is verified here.
What the Government said—and what it did not say
On 23 December 2025, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Kate Dearden answered a written parliamentary question: “The government is looking into the matters in relation to Rockstar North.” The answer also described workers’ right to organise through trade unions and said that an employee who considers they were unfairly dismissed can bring a claim to an employment tribunal. Read the written answer.
Two days earlier, on 18 December, Leader of the House Sir Alan Campbell told the Commons that ministers were looking at the dismissals and would keep Edinburgh MP Tracy Gilbert updated. Neither statement establishes that the Government completed an investigation, reached a conclusion about Rockstar, or promised a public report. Read the Hansard exchange.
Why the dismissals are disputed
The union’s allegation
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) says workers were dismissed because of union activity. The union has challenged the dismissals through the tribunal process. Its allegation remains a claim, not a tribunal finding. The Guardian reported the competing accounts.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- This product contains a download code inside the box — no disc is included. Customer shipments will begin arriving November 12 for pre-load; game is playable starting November 19.
- Pre-order to receive the Vintage Vice City Pack.
- Grand Theft Auto VI is a single-player experience.
Rockstar’s reported explanation
The Guardian reported that Rockstar said dismissed workers shared confidential company information in a public forum and that the dismissals were unrelated to union rights. That explanation is the company’s position as reported; the cited coverage does not resolve the factual dispute.
What the tribunal evidence means so far
STV reported that the final hearing began on 10 September 2026 and was scheduled to run through 16 October. Sky’s report of 11 September described evidence and cross-examination, including a witness’s belief about monitoring after a workplace petition and the company’s challenge to union-related allegations. Those are accounts presented during proceedings, not conclusions reached by the tribunal. STV’s hearing report and Sky’s report on testimony describe the proceedings. Because the scheduled hearing end date falls after 8 October, a final result is not established here.
Rank #2
- When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.
- Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed predecessor to the 2018 blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the iconic horror story that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
What Parliament’s motion records
Early Day Motion 64743 records MPs’ concern about media reports of 31 dismissals, refers to alleged IWGB involvement and affected studios, and calls for an investigation into potential anti-union discrimination. An Early Day Motion records MPs’ views and requests; it is not a government determination or tribunal ruling. Read the motion.
Counts in coverage refer to different scopes. The motion refers to 31 reported dismissals. Sky later described 34 people believed dismissed across the UK and Canada, including 31 UK workers. These figures should not be combined or treated as interchangeable: one is the motion’s reported figure and the other is a later estimate with a wider geographic scope.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Grand Theft Auto III: It all starts in Liberty City. With the revolutionary freedom to go anywhere and jack anyone, Grand Theft Auto III puts the center of the criminal underworld at your fingertips, if you have enough guts to take it.
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City: Welcome to the 1980s. From the decade of big hair and pastel suits comes the story of one man's rise to the top of the criminal pile.
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: Five years ago, Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson escaped the haze of Los Santos, San Andreas...a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs, and corruption.
The legal protection cited by ministers
In its written answer, the Government cited section 152 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which protects employees from dismissal for being or seeking to be members of a trade union. The answer said that a person who believes they were unfairly dismissed can bring a claim to an employment tribunal. This describes the protection and route cited by ministers; it does not decide whether the law was breached in these particular cases.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Showcased in 1080p for the PlayStation 4 and stunning 4K for PlayStation 4 Pro.
- Includes the complete original game and all additional downloadable content plus new collectibles and detective suits to unlock, each with unique special abilities.
- Features an array of technical and graphical enhancements for a more realistic Los Angeles.
Rank #4
- No guns, no violence, just straight up ping pong from the studio that brought us such games as Midnight Club and Red Dead Revolver. Rockstar San Diego's game takes advantage of the Xbox 360's graphic power and technology to capture the intensity, speed and excitement of Table Tennis.
Timeline of the public record
- October 2025: The dismissals at the centre of the dispute took place. Parliament’s motion referred to 31 reported dismissals.
- 7 November 2025: The Guardian reported IWGB’s allegation and Rockstar’s counter-explanation; the article was updated on 12 December.
- 18 December 2025: Tracy Gilbert raised constituents’ concerns in the Commons. Sir Alan Campbell said ministers were looking at the case and would keep her updated.
- 23 December 2025: The Department for Business and Trade said the Government was looking into matters relating to Rockstar North and summarized the legal protections and tribunal route.
- 30 June 2026: IWGB said workers had applied for voluntary union recognition. The union’s report confirms an application, not that recognition was granted. Read IWGB’s statement.
- 10–11 September 2026: STV reported the start of the final hearing, scheduled through 16 October; Sky reported testimony the following day.
What remains unresolved
- Whether the tribunal will find that any dismissal was unlawful or unfair.
- Whether the Government completed its stated review or issued a later public update.
- Whether workers’ application for voluntary union recognition resulted in recognition.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
