The Newshound

Rockstar Games HR chief denies ordering staff to spy on union members as GTA 6 tribunal enters second day

Fake emails and AI-generated websites offering GTA 6 players early beta access — a scam campaign capable of stealing bank details or installing malware.
Fake emails and AI-generated websites offering GTA 6 players early beta access — a scam campaign capable of stealing bank details or installing malware.
Rockstar Games HR chief denies ordering staff to spy on union members as GTA 6 tribunal enters second day

Robert Spampinato, Rockstar Games' global HR vice president, told a Glasgow employment tribunal it is "categorically not true" that he instructed managers to monitor union membership — as lawyers for sacked workers alleged the company unlawfully blacklisted union activists. Twenty-three of the 34 workers dismissed last October are claiming unfair dismissal, represented by the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain. Rockstar insists they were fired for sharing confidential information on a private Discord server, not for union activity.

Evidence showed that an anonymous employee had passed screenshots of IWGB union meetings directly to Rockstar HR executive Charlie Kinloch; lawyers alleged Kinloch had 'solicited' the material.

Spampinato acknowledged that Rockstar was in 'crisis mode' over delays to GTA 6 at the time of the October 2025 dismissals — the game is now scheduled for release on 19 November.

Sarah Blackburn, let go after nine years at Rockstar North, said a call from an unknown number came just two hours after she had texted in sick, resulting in her 'immediate dismissal with no warning, no process'.

Moreaa.com.trGrand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games denies firing workers for union activityThe ScotsmanI did not keep tabs on union membership, Rockstar chief tells tribunalThe HeraldRockstar HR chief denies asking staff to ‘keep tabs’ on union membershipBBC News - ScotlandSacked Grand Theft Auto workers protest as company bosses quizzed at tribunalEvening StandardFormer Rockstar Games staff hold rally outside employment tribunalBBC News - TechGrand Theft Auto boss denies trying to keep tabs on union membershipThe IndependentGTA developer denies keeping tabs on staff union membershipPA MediaFormer Rockstar Games staff hold rally outside employment tribunal
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →