Overview
- Employment Judge Frances Eccles denied the IWGB’s interim application, saying it was not likely the dismissals were principally due to union membership under the high standard required.
- The union had sought temporary reinstatement to payroll and, where needed, visa restoration for 34 workers fired in October 2025, including 31 in the UK and three in Canada.
- The ruling cited evidence that the IWGB Discord had about 350 members, including former employees and a games journalist, and noted some dismissed staff had posted very little while some organizers were not fired.
- Rockstar welcomed the outcome and continues to argue the terminations were for leaking confidential details of unannounced projects, while the union disputes that account and highlights the judge’s note of no proven adverse consequences from the posts.
- IWGB says interim relief is rarely granted and will pursue the substantive tribunal, as protests, a staff open letter signed by over 200 at Rockstar North, and parliamentary attention keep pressure on the company.