Key information
A legal battle is currently unfolding at the Glasgow Tribunals Centre between Rockstar Games and 31 former employees. Represented by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB), the claimants allege they were unlawfully dismissed as part of union-busting efforts. Conversely, Rockstar maintains that the terminations were a result of gross misconduct and the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
During cross-examination, HR manager Charlie Kinloch faced scrutiny regarding his previous statements to the court. Kinloch, who initially claimed ignorance of IWGB membership among staff, later clarified he could not know membership status definitively. He denied intentionally misleading the court, attributing discrepancies to requests for additional context.
Kinloch addressed messages from an anonymous employee regarding union organizing and workplace complaints. He asserted he had "little interest" in staff unionization conversations, prioritizing concerns over disparagement and misinformation. Kinloch justified the timing of the terminations by citing the unprecedented scrutiny surrounding the development of GTA 6, noting that potential leaks could cause significant financial damage.
The HR manager identified specific activities as security risks, including the proposed launch of a union Twitter account and plans to contact journalists from Bloomberg and The Guardian. As the trial continues next week, the proceedings remain a significant confrontation between the developer and the IWGB.
