Alerts Sign-up
Workers at TikTok's Berlin headquarters went on strike on March 7, 2025, protesting the company's decision to lay off 150 content moderators. The layoffs are part of TikTok's plan to close its Trust and Safety Department and move moderation work to AI and external providers.
The workers, who have been training the AI systems that will replace them, are demanding fair compensation under the slogan: “We trained your machines – pay us what we deserve!” The German union ver.di, affiliated with UNI Global Union, organized the strike with specific demands for support.
Employees argue that recognizing their skilled labor is essential for retraining and transitioning into new careers. This is particularly important for those whose residency in Germany depends on employment. They also highlight the stress and trauma associated with their job, noting TikTok's significant annual revenue partly generated by their work.
