Greens stand with Rockstar workers
The Scottish Greens have hailed Edinburgh City Council’s backing for a Green motion to support workers at Rockstar.
The motion, passed on Tuesday evening, calls for council officers to offer support to impacted workers and call for the company to engage with the Council’s Fair Work Charter process.
The multi-billion pound game developer has been accused of union-busting and firing dozens of workers for organising in the workplace.
Earlier this month, 220 Rockstar workers wrote to the company’s management to demand that their colleagues were reinstated.
Green Cllr Dan Heap, who introduced the motion said:
"I am delighted the Council has taken this stand for workers rights.
“There can never be any justification for sacking workers for engaging in trade union organising. It is a right guaranteed by law and one that we will always stand up for.
“Whilst the Council cannot order the employees to be reinstated, it will be making it clear to Rockstar and Take Two that their actions are completely incompatible with the City's fair work agenda, which it is aiming for city employees to be part of.
“We will also now reach out with what social security and employment support it has to offer, to offer practical help at a challenging time for the workers."
Scottish Green MSP Lorna Slater said:
“Rockstar has treated its workers appallingly and I am glad that Green councillors have ensured our City is taking a stand.
“The workers at Rockstar have produced some of the biggest and most profitable games in the world. They have brought whole new universes to life in homes across our country, only to be discarded for standing up for themselves.
“They should be immediately reinstated and their union should be formally recognised. It’s time for Rockstar bosses to do the right thing, get around the table and agree on fair terms, conditions and wages for all their employees.”