Rockstar Games workers to vote on IWGB union recognition from November 12

The Independent Worker's Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has announced that Rockstar Games employees will formally vote on union recognition next month. Voting opens on November 12, 2026 and closes on November 26. Game Developer reports that the vote brings a years-long union drive to a head.

According to the report, recognition would give employees a voice on topics such as pay, overtime, layoffs, flexible working arrangements and generative AI policies.

The vote comes shortly after Rockstar head of publishing Jennifer Koble commented on the union drive. She said, "we go where the team goes." She added that if employees want a union, they will have one.

The vote runs independently of an ongoing tribunal over Rockstar's 2025 decision to fire more than 30 union employees for "gross misconduct." The former employees and the IWGB have characterized the firings as union busting. Closing arguments in the tribunal take place on November 17 and 18.

Both events fall around the release of Grand Theft Auto VI from Rockstar Games and Take-Two, which is set for November 19. Take-Two says it expects $8 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2027, thanks in part to projected sales of the game.

A Rockstar Game Workers Union committee member said in a statement that workers have a chance to "make gaming history not once, but twice." Committee member Easton-Steel said the vote is about getting honesty and openness on decisions that affect employees. Easton-Steel named the gender pay gap, changing overtime pay policies and job security after release as concerns among co-workers.