Wednesday November 19th 2025
Protestors outside Rockstar Games’ Edinburgh offices
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Members of the Edinburgh-based game developers, Rockstar Games, and the Independant Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) hosted their 2nd protest yesterday, almost three weeks after Rockstar games was accused of ‘union busting’ after 31 members of staff were fired from various worldwide branches.
Stating that the sacking was due to ‘trade union activities’, the IWGB alongside existing members of staff and other trade unions, held a protest outside Rockstar’s main office in Edinburgh and the Scottish Parliament in their on-going fight for employment reinstatement for IWGB members who lost their jobs.
Following the first protest on the 6th of November, Rockstar stated that the job losses were due to workers sharing confidential information, not being part of a union, but the IWGB argued this, explaining that all members of staff fired were part of a private trade union Discord channel and members of the IWGB.
This led to the union issuing legal claims against Rockstar, claiming that the job losses were unfair after the claims were prompted due to the game developers refusing to meet with IWGB members.
Yesterday’s protest aligned with a cross party parliamentary meeting where MSP’s were to discuss the future of Scotland’s games industry.
Aiming to make their voice heard, a large group of protestors gathered outside the Rockstar offices at 5pm where they organised guest speakers and chants directed towards the head office.
During the protest, organiser and IWGB support worker Fred Carter told the Midlothian View that ‘every single person fired was a member of the Rockstar Games Workers Union’, reinstating the claim that the job losses was a ‘clear case of union busting’.
He said:
“Everyone that is here today is protesting the firing on mass of 31 Rockstar workers by Rockstar at the end of October. This was verified without warning, without evidence after they were accused of gross misconduct. We know this isn’t true because we have seen no evidence of it.
“We also know that every single person who was fired was part of the Rockstar Game Workers Union. We know to the corporate offices that this is a clear case of union busting.”
Amongst the guest speakers outside Rockstar’s office was Scottish Liberal Democrat Party leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, who provided his solidarity and support to the cause.
During his speech, he said:
“I am standing here in solidarity with you as workers who have been rejected from the building behind me because I happen to believe that organised labour is a human right and I happen to believe that UK employment law can not be disregarded by American parent companies.
“I met with your unions today and my goodness, you have great champions in the games industry. The unions have got your backs and I am hoping that this will be sfitly resolved. I have got your back, the Liberal Democrat Party has got your back but so do most of the parties in the parliament.”
Following Alex Cole-Hamilton’s speech, alongside speeches from Rockstar staff who lost their jobs, the protest group made their way to the parliament where they again made their voices heard.
Outside the parliament more speakers were welcomed, including other union members such as members of the University and College Union Edinburgh who are currently on strike over the on-going employment issues at Edinburgh University.
During the protest, Sarah Blackburn, a member of Rockstar’s staff who lost her job, explained:
“I was one of the 31 workers who were fired at the end of last month and we are basically just fighting for our jobs back. We are fighting for reinstatement for myself and all our workers, alongside fighting for the whole games industry.
“It’s an industry that’s not always the kindest to its workers and unions are massively important because they allow workers to have a voice, to talk to their management and to work on things like working conditions.”
Rockstar games is one of the world leaders in game development. Originating in Scotland, Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series is the most profitable video game franchise in the world with the last installment generating a staggering $1 billion in its first three days of sales and going on to make over $7 billion. Grand Theft Auto VI, which recently was postponed until November 2026, is expected to break all records and earn Rockstar upwards of $10 billion.
With Fred Carter explaining that they have more protests planned in the future, the IWGB and their support are continuing their battle for reinstatement of fired staff until Rockstar addresses the issue.
Watch a video of yesterday’s protest below.
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