A former employee of Rockstar North, the studio behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, has told an employment tribunal that colleagues were placed on a surveillance list due to their union involvement. Dayne Oram, who was among 34 staff members dismissed last year, testified that the gaming giant monitored a group of workers after they signed a petition regarding remote work arrangements.
Oram stated that Rockstar “kept an eye” on approximately 15 to 20 union members after the petition was submitted in the spring of 2023. He argued that while the dismissal was not solely based on this petition, it formed part of a broader pattern of retaliation against employees engaged in union organizing activities.
The company, however, maintains that the terminations were justified by gross misconduct. Lawyers for Rockstar asserted that staff shared confidential information through an online forum, denying any connection to trade union membership or activity. The firm has vowed to defend itself vigorously against the allegations.
During the proceedings in Glasgow, Thomas Cordrey, representing Rockstar, challenged Oram’s timeline, noting a gap of nearly three years between the February 2023 petition and the October 2025 dismissals. Oram acknowledged other factors were involved but insisted the watch list incident was linked to the company’s hostility toward organized labor.
The tribunal also examined Oram’s role in moderating a Discord server used by roughly 300 Rockstar employees. Cordrey argued that forum rules requiring professionalism were routinely ignored, including instances of derogatory language. Oram admitted that some moderation decisions might be handled differently today but denied that such behavior constituted gross misconduct warranting dismissal.
Represented by the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), Oram is one of 23 claimants proceeding with the case. Most of the affected workers are based at Rockstar’s Edinburgh headquarters, with others located in Canada.
The labor dispute arises against the backdrop of the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for November 19. The title, featuring the series’ first female protagonist, Lucia, alongside Jason, is projected to generate hundreds of millions in pre-orders. Rockstar previously delayed the game twice, with initial dates pushed back from autumn 2025 to May 2026, before settling on the current release window.
A spokesperson for Rockstar reiterated that their position has remained consistent throughout the process, emphasizing that dismissals were strictly related to the breach of confidentiality rather than union activities. The tribunal, presided over by judge Lucy Wiseman, continues.
Interesting that the IWGB is involved. This could set a major precedent for game industry labor rights.
Surveillance of union members? That sounds like a classic intimidation tactic. Hope the tribunal sees through it.
The three-year gap between the petition and the firings is a huge weakness in the employees’ case. Makes sense legally.
Hard to feel sympathy for Rockstar when they delay GTA 6 again while suing workers. What a mess.