The newly-formed Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union are pushing for official recognition by Rockstar ahead of GTA 6’s console release this November.

Although the union publicly announced themselves at the end of May, they still aren’t officially recognised by Rockstar Games. Until they are acknowledged by Rockstar, the union won’t have the formal channels to push for their stated aims of pay transparency, flexible working, and an end to crunch.

However, UK law is on the union’s side.

While Rockstar can refuse to acknowledge the union, Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union can then submit their application to the Department for Business and Trade’s Central Arbitration Committee for statutory recognition. So long as the union have their paperwork in order and enough members, the tribunal should rubber stamp their status.

The first step is this demand for Rockstar to voluntarily recognise the union. Rockstar now have ten working days to make their decision. If Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union can prove they number more than 10% of the staff in the proposed bargaining unit – basically, the clearly-defined group of workers the union claims to represent – Rockstar may simply accept the union is valid and recognise its legitimacy, paving the way for collective bargaining to begin.

Rockstar could choose, instead, to negotiate with the union about who is or isn’t part of the proposed bargaining unit. However, even if they do this, the negotiations can’t take longer than 20 working days. If either the negotiations break down or Rockstar refuse, the union can force the issue by taking it to the Central Arbitration Committee.

If Rockstar IWGB Game Workers Union are recognised, they will become only the second UK games studio with a recognised union. ZA/UM voluntarily recognised their union back in October last year.

The unionisation efforts at Rockstar came under the microscope last year when the studio fired 30 employees. While Rockstar claims the employees were fired for leaking information about GTA 6, the IWGB claimed it was a union-busting effort. The IWGB have filed a case against Rockstar over its claims.

Speaking to The Guardian, one of the fired employees, Jordan Garland, said We hope Rockstar voluntarily recognises the union; we are inviting Rockstar to meet us and make it a celebration of people who make the games possible.”