Rockstar workers to vote on union recognition in November

Rockstar employees will vote on recognizing the IWGB Rockstar Game Workers Union between November 12 and 26. PC Gamer and Game Developer both report the dates, citing an announcement from the IWGB. The two-week ballot concerns workers’ representation in discussions with management.

What workers want a voice on

The reports identify pay and bonuses, overtime, layoffs and flexible working arrangements among the issues recognition would cover. PC Gamer says the union and Rockstar management have been negotiating the recognition agreement’s terms since July.

Union committee member Shanti Easton-Steel called for “honesty and openness” around decisions affecting employees, in a statement carried by both outlets. She highlighted concerns about pay gaps, overtime payment policies and job security after a game launches.

Behind even the biggest games are people who want to know how decisions about their work are made.

Management’s position

PC Gamer says Rockstar has not commented on the ballot announcement itself. Both outlets also cite an earlier comment from head of publishing Jennifer Kolbe: “If they want a union, they will have a union.”