TikTok's Union Busting Tactics Exposed as Moderators Take Fight to Tribunal
The social media giant's decision to fire hundreds of UK-based content moderators just before they were set to vote on forming a union has sparked accusations of "oppressive and intimidating" union busting. About 400 moderators, who are exposed to extreme and violent content daily, had their jobs axed as part of TikTok's global restructuring process.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents the affected moderators, claims that the layoffs were a deliberate attempt to prevent workers from forming a collective bargaining unit, thereby limiting their ability to negotiate better working conditions and protections. The union argues that TikTok is guilty of unfair dismissal and breaching trade union laws.
TikTok, however, denies any wrongdoing, describing the claim as "baseless" and claiming that the sackings were part of a necessary global restructuring process involving roles in the UK, south Asia, and other regions where AI-powered moderation tools are being used to automate content removal. According to TikTok, 91% of transgressive content is now removed automatically by these tools.
However, John Chadfield, national officer for tech workers at the CWU, disagrees, stating that "this is holding TikTok to account for union busting." He emphasizes that content moderators are exposed to high-pressure work environments with minimal resources and inadequate support, making their jobs extremely demanding and potentially hazardous.
The dispute began in August 2025, when the union was poised to ballot hundreds of moderators who were responsible for vetting posts for compliance with TikTok's rules. The proposed bargaining unit faced redundancy due to restructuring, prompting the claim against TikTok.
Supporters of the content moderators, including Rosa Curling, co-executive director of the tech justice non-profit Foxglove, describe TikTok's actions as "appalling," arguing that the platform is prioritizing profits over user safety and worker well-being. The employment tribunal has been called upon to force TikTok to change its ways.
According to Michael Newman, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day, this case highlights the importance of workers banding together to challenge the might of big tech firms and ensures that AI-driven cost savings do not obscure vital safety concerns.
The social media giant's decision to fire hundreds of UK-based content moderators just before they were set to vote on forming a union has sparked accusations of "oppressive and intimidating" union busting. About 400 moderators, who are exposed to extreme and violent content daily, had their jobs axed as part of TikTok's global restructuring process.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents the affected moderators, claims that the layoffs were a deliberate attempt to prevent workers from forming a collective bargaining unit, thereby limiting their ability to negotiate better working conditions and protections. The union argues that TikTok is guilty of unfair dismissal and breaching trade union laws.
TikTok, however, denies any wrongdoing, describing the claim as "baseless" and claiming that the sackings were part of a necessary global restructuring process involving roles in the UK, south Asia, and other regions where AI-powered moderation tools are being used to automate content removal. According to TikTok, 91% of transgressive content is now removed automatically by these tools.
However, John Chadfield, national officer for tech workers at the CWU, disagrees, stating that "this is holding TikTok to account for union busting." He emphasizes that content moderators are exposed to high-pressure work environments with minimal resources and inadequate support, making their jobs extremely demanding and potentially hazardous.
The dispute began in August 2025, when the union was poised to ballot hundreds of moderators who were responsible for vetting posts for compliance with TikTok's rules. The proposed bargaining unit faced redundancy due to restructuring, prompting the claim against TikTok.
Supporters of the content moderators, including Rosa Curling, co-executive director of the tech justice non-profit Foxglove, describe TikTok's actions as "appalling," arguing that the platform is prioritizing profits over user safety and worker well-being. The employment tribunal has been called upon to force TikTok to change its ways.
According to Michael Newman, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day, this case highlights the importance of workers banding together to challenge the might of big tech firms and ensures that AI-driven cost savings do not obscure vital safety concerns.
. Like, firing hundreds of content moderators just before they were gonna form a union? That's straight up unfair 
. These guys are exposed to some crazy stuff on a daily basis, dealing with violent content and whatnot 
. It's like, you gotta give them some support and resources 
. The fact that TikTok is saying 91% of transgressive content is removed automatically by AI tools just sounds like corporate speak to me 
. I mean, we all know how that works out in the end... 
. Anyway, it's on now for the tribunal to make TikTok step up its game 
.
come on tiktok can't you just let the mods unionize already? it's like they're trying to avoid paying them a decent wage or providing some basic safety gear for those who have to deal with all that toxic content daily 
like they just wanna avoid dealing with the human moderators and their demands for better working conditions 
these people are literally dealing with toxic content all day, it's no wonder they're looking out for themselves by forming a union. the fact that 91% of transgressive content gets removed automatically just means there's still so much that's getting through and it's being buried on the platform 
I mean, we all know AI can't replace human judgment on sensitive content, right? But maybe TikTok is just scared of being held accountable for the toxic environment they've created. 
The fact that 400 UK moderators got axed just before they were gonna unionize, it's a clear case of anti-union tactics. 
We need to stand up for these workers and make sure their rights aren't trampled on. 
... 91% of transgressive content is removed by AI-powered tools, that's pretty convenient, if you ask me 
... I mean, what's the point of having a platform like TikTok if not to protect its users from harm? 
Yeah, right.
, they're basically working in a toxic environment with no protection or support 
. The idea that 91% of problematic content is being removed automatically by AI tools sounds too good to be true 
. Still, I think there needs to be a better balance between tech progress and human rights 
.
This whole situation just goes to show how easily power can be abused when you're in a position of control 
. It's not just about the job security or the money; it's about having a voice and being treated with respect 
, but that doesn't mean we're safe from the consequences of such behavior 
. and now the union is saying that this is union busting, which makes sense if you consider how many people are exposed to crazy stuff on tiktok every day 
I mean, can you imagine if everyone who was exposed to potentially traumatic content on TikTok just walked away? It's crazy that these moderators are being treated like disposable workers 
. Ultimately, I think this whole thing highlights the importance of balancing profits with people and safety 
. Maybe we can learn from TikTok's mistakes and create better working conditions for all digital content moderators 
. But we should be supporting these moderators, not firing them. They're the ones who need our protection, you know?
. It's time for these big tech firms to get held accountable for their actions and make sure workers are treated with some respect 
! We drove through the countryside and stopped at these tiny towns with the most incredible food markets. I mean, have you ever had a proper British breakfast? It's like a whole new world of flavors 
. Anyway, back to TikTok... I think it's crazy that they're trying to blame the moderators for not having enough resources or support. Like, what's wrong with investing in your employees instead of just relying on AI tools?