IWGB Game Workers Northern Ireland

Workers at a Foxconn factory in Wuhan that assemble Xbox video game consoles protest over a job dispute. Estimates ranged from 80 to 200 workers involved in the strike. Foxconn announced it was close the production line for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console and transfer some workers to other roles, but then reneged on paying severance to other workers. Workers climbed onto the roof of a factory dormitory, with some threatening to jump to their deaths. This follows collective actions in factories that produce technology for other companies, including Apple.

#OtD 3 Jan 2012 workers at a Foxconn factory that make Xbox consoles go on strike. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2021-01-foxconn-factory-workers-strike

We are appalled to hear about the closure of Ubisoft Halifax and the loss of 71 workers' livelihoods, less than a month after the formation of a union with CWA Canada Local 30111. We stand with our fellow game workers—profit will never trump people, and the games we love cannot be made without the dedicated workers who continue to deal with precarity and unfair treatment because of their love and passion for games. However, every day more and more game workers realize this does not have to be the way. Unions in the games industry are getting stronger and will not be silenced. Solidarity with those at Ubisoft.

We are extremely appalled and shocked at the recent news of the closure of Ubisoft Halifax - we stand in solidarity with all of those affected.

If you're a video game worker looking to have a stronger voice on the job, stop corporate greed and get better pay, benefits and more, join @videogameworkers.bsky.social and build worker power to change the gaming industry for good.

uvw-cwa.org

that’s craaaazy

A graphic which uses the colours of the Palestinian flag: white, black, red and green. Text at the top reads “No games for genocide”, and text at the bottom reads “Boycott Xbox, Sign the pledge”, with the website nogamesforgenocide.com below. In the middle of the graphic is an icon of a fist punching upwards, splitting a missile in half. One half of the broken missile has the Xbox logo on it, and the other half has the Microsoft logo on it.

SIGN OUR BOYCOTT XBOX PLEDGE: We are asking gamers, game workers, streamers & journalists to join us in boycotting & divesting from Xbox, to force Microsoft to end its complicity in the genocide of Palestinians.

We’ve provided concrete actions everyone can take. Sign here: nogamesforgenocide.com

Credit to @kindradantone.bsky.social for their amazing work!

UK games industry is having a fuckin moment this week.

Jesus Christ.

NYC 🌆 Protest at Rockstar’s NY offices next Friday, Dec 5th with us! We will be there with organizers across the industry — let’s make the fight against their illegal union-busting international ✊

🗓️ Friday, December 5th
⏰ 5PM onwards
📍 622 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

just asking a question

I decided to convert dollars to centimeters. That allows us to visualize, for example, the distance between having no money and being at poverty level — about four city blocks.
2/8

GAME WORKERS OF IWGB REMEMBERS TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES We spend today remembering those we’ve lost this Transgender Day of Remembrance, it is important now more than ever to stand in solidarity with our trans allies and colleagues. An important word from our Chair, Spring McparlinJones, on this topic: “It's hard to ignore the feeling of suspense in the trans community today. It's beginning to feel obvious that the target that's been placed on our collective head isn’t going away. In times like this, we turn to our memories. The optimists amongst us are remembering the brief period in the 2010’s when it seemed like things would be ok. The pessimists are remembering pink triangles. I'm choosing to remember what it was that allowed me to make it 7 years into my transition: my community. I've drifted through many different left leaning groups since my transition began. I'm proud to say that, beyond the trans centric ones, I've never found a community so welcoming to trans people as the Game Workers' union. There's no telling what is coming next for us, but I feel safe in the knowledge that I won't have to face it alone ✊️” We encourage you to attend a local or online vigil to offer support to the transgender people around you and to remember those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence this year and in years passed. For more information on key organisations and workplace support: empower-up.com/topic/gender-reassignment/ . If you would like to attend a vigil, either online or in person, please visit: lgbthero.org.uk/tdor-vigils-2025

A statement from the Game Workers of the IWGB this Transgender Day of Remembrance. Please join us in marking this important day by remembering those we have lost due to trans violence and hate.

Further resources:

empower-up.com/topic/gender...
lgbthero.org.uk/tdor-vigils-2025

I attended the protest outside of Rockstar North in Edinburgh this evening to stand in solidarity with the more than 30 workers across the UK, including a number of my constituents who have been sacked.

Our statement in solidarity with our fellow workers' ongoing protest against @rockstargames.com's gross union busting!

Photo of Rockstar workers demonstrating outside of Rockstar North.

Photo of Rockstar workers demonstrating outside of Rockstar North.

Photo of Rockstar workers marching to Scottish Parliament.

Unions ain't busted.

Our campaign against @rockstargames.com continues - reinstate your workers now!

Rockstar faces legal claims for firing unionizing devs The IWGB is taking Rockstar to court for 'victimization and collective dismissal linked to trade union activity.'

Rockstar hit with legal claims by IWGB over firing of unionizing workers

Workers at ZeniMax (owned by Microsoft) took one day of strike action over the outsourcing of quality assurance work, as well as opposing the return-to-office mandate. ZeniMax Workers United became the first union to form under the Microsoft banner in January 2023 when 300 workers voted in favour. It is estimated that hundreds of workers took part in the strike.

#OtD 13 Nov 2024 Workers at ZeniMax strike over remote work and outsourcing. https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2024-11-workers-zenimax-strike-over-remote-work-outsourcing

Union files formal legal claims against Rockstar amid union busting accusations After accusing Rockstar of union busting after the studio reportedly dismissed 30 to 40 employees last Thursday (Octobe…

Union files formal legal claims against Rockstar amid union-busting accusations
www.gamesindustry.biz/union-files-...

Workers and supporters including Green MSPs protesting outside Rockstar's Edinburgh offices.

The Scottish Greens stand with the dozens of workers sacked by @rockstargames.com for exercising their right to organise with @gameworkers.co.uk @iwgbunion.bsky.social

Reinstate them now, then get around the table & give your staff the pay & conditions they deserve for making you billions.

⏳️💰🪼

“Say sorry, be nice is a Rockstar slogan, it has been for many, many years. At least in this instance, it doesn’t seem like the company is interested in living by it.”

Watch the video of our demonstration & interviews with dismissed workers at Rockstar North here!

You can hear how angry and hurt these devs are. It's in their shaky voices and the way they talk about their work. It's an awful situation, for those who were forced out and those who remain

Fun fact - the Oscars were literally created to union bust!

Studio execs wanted something they solely controlled that others desired and then used the Oscars to force workers to get in line with threats of never giving it to them if they didn't.

Feels eerily similar...

Support Rockstar Workers Fighting Unfair Dismissals! Last week over 30 members of staff at Grand Theft Auto VI developer Rockstar were fired en masse in a “calculated attack on workers”. The IWGB described Rockstar’s actions as ‘the most blatant and rut...

Rockstar union workers have set up a solidarity fund to help our fight after 30 of them were fired in an attempt to destroy the union.

Help us fight back! Anything you can donate will massively help our efforts to hold Rockstar to account.

actionnetwork.org/fundraising/...

Workers in Portland formed a branch of Game Workers Unite and organised a physical meet up.

#OtD 6 Nov 2019 Launch of Game Workers Unite Portland https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2019-11-launch-game-workers-unite-portland

Thank you to everyone who braved the stormy weather to attend our Halloween social on Thursday!

There were lots of wonderful costumes on display and plenty of goolish fun to be had.

We raised money for a good cause while looking absolutely fabulous 💅

Hope to see you again next time 🎃 👻 ❤

IWGB Halloween Social 🎃 · Luma IWGB Game Workers Northern Ireland presents an evening of spooky Hallowe'en camaraderie! 🎃🎃🎃🎃 This event is open to everyone, whether you're in the union…

For the 2nd year running, IWGB Game Workers NI are hosting a Halloween Social on Oct 30th in Pug Uglys!

Open to folk in an outside the union with all money raised going towards a local charity 🎃

For more information and to get your ticket follow the link below

luma.com/d5ieq59h

Around 100 workers at Avalanche Studios Group have joined Unionen. The studio develops the Just Cause series and has around 500 employees. Workers have raised issues over benefits and proposed moving to a four-day week. The unionisation follows a public dispute between workers and management, in which a public apology was later issued by the company.

#OtD 6 Oct 2023 Workers Unionise at Avalanche Studios Group https://www.gameworkersolidarity.com/action/2023-10-workers-unionise-avalanche-studios-group

IWGB Halloween Social 🎃 · Luma IWGB Game Workers Northern Ireland presents an evening of spooky Hallowe'en camaraderie! 🎃🎃🎃🎃 This event is open to everyone, whether you're in the union…

For the 2nd year running, IWGB Game Workers NI are hosting a Halloween Social on Oct 30th in Pug Uglys!

Open to folk in an outside the union with all money raised going towards a local charity 🎃

For more information and to get your ticket follow the link below

luma.com/d5ieq59h

Watch this space 👀 🎃 👻