TikTok Employees in Berlin Begin Four-Day Strike
TikTok employees at the company's Berlin headquarters have commenced a four-day strike, starting on September 23, 2025, to protest the impending layoffs of 150 content moderators. The industrial action, organized by the German trade union ver.di, highlights concerns over the replacement of human roles with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and outsourced labor. This follows earlier one-day strikes held in July.
The affected employees are primarily from TikTok's Trust and Safety Department and TikTok Live, departments crucial for moderating content and engaging with creators. The union argues that these workers, who often handle distressing content, have even been involved in training the very AI systems now slated to replace them.
Union Demands and TikTok's Response
The ver.di union is advocating for a collective agreement that includes substantial support for the laid-off workers. Their key demands are:
- Severance payments equal to three years' salary per employee.
- A 12-month extension of the notice period.
Lucas Krentel, Deputy Regional Head of the Media Division at ver.di Berlin-Brandenburg, stated that 'It is disrespectful of TikTok to shirk all social responsibility and even refuse to negotiate with us.' He emphasized that the strike sends a 'clear signal' that employees will not accept the company's stance.
In response, TikTok, through spokesperson Anna Sopel, has indicated that the proposed layoffs are intended to 'streamline workflows and improve efficiency' and reaffirmed the company's commitment to 'protecting the safety and integrity of our platform'. However, TikTok has reportedly refused to engage in negotiations regarding a collective severance agreement.
Concerns Over AI Moderation and Broader Context
The union and affected workers express significant concerns about the efficacy and ethical implications of replacing human moderators with AI. They argue that AI systems may struggle with culturally sensitive decisions and that human oversight remains essential for maintaining a safe platform. Critics point to instances where automated systems have allegedly misidentified harmless content, such as a rainbow Pride flag, while missing genuinely harmful material.
This move in Germany is part of a broader global strategy by TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to automate its trust and safety functions. Similar layoffs of moderation teams have occurred in other regions, including the Netherlands and Malaysia. The dispute also highlights the growing tension between technological advancement and labor rights within the context of the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict obligations on platforms for content moderation.
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
The ongoing labor dispute is set to escalate with a strike rally planned for September 25 in front of the Berlin Labor Court. TikTok has initiated proceedings to establish the legal basis for dismissing employees without reaching an agreement with ver.di, indicating a potential legal battle over the terms of the layoffs.
5 Comments
Fuerza
It's understandable that TikTok wants to leverage AI for scale, but the ethical implications of letting go of workers who trained the system are significant. There needs to be a more compassionate transition plan.
Manolo Noriega
AI can't understand nuance. This will ruin content moderation quality.
Fuerza
Pure corporate greed. They're ditching humans for profit, plain and simple.
Ongania
Unions are right to fight for fair treatment for these workers, especially given the distressing nature of their jobs. However, companies also face pressure to innovate and reduce costs, creating a difficult dilemma for both sides.
Fuerza
Companies have the right to optimize their workforce. It's a tough but necessary call.