TikTok employees in Berlin stage a warning walkout - TikTok employees in Berlin stage a work stoppage
In a historic move, employees at TikTok's Berlin office staged a one-day warning strike on July 23, 2025, protesting planned layoffs of around 165 staff, primarily from the Trust and Safety department and TikTok Live area. The workers, led by the German trade union ver.di, are demanding severance payments equal to three years' salary and an extension of the notice period by 12 months for those affected [1].
The employees, who had previously trained the artificial intelligence (AI) that is now taking over their tasks, are rallying under the slogan “We trained your machines – pay us what we deserve!” [1][2][4]. The strike, which also includes a boat tour on the Spree River and a rally at Mühlenstraße 70-71, Berlin, is significant as it marks the first by employees of a social media platform in Germany [1].
TikTok’s management has so far refused to negotiate with the union despite multiple requests [1]. The layoffs follow TikTok’s strategy to replace human moderators with AI and to outsource moderation jobs to third-party providers, raising concerns about lower wages, diminished investment in employee health, and risks associated with minimal human oversight of politically or culturally sensitive content [2].
The union's concerns extend beyond the dismissals to the lack of negotiation on the employees' demands. Verdi justifies the demands for severance payment and extended notice period with the company's high profits, arguing that the expertise of content moderators is being undervalued [1].
This movement draws attention to the difficult working conditions faced by moderators exposed to distressing content and the challenges of balancing AI integration with responsible employment practices and content oversight [2][4][5]. The strike is not limited to TikTok employees in Berlin, but could potentially involve the international workforce.
TikTok, which belongs to the Chinese Bytedance conglomerate, has 1.5 billion users worldwide, making it a globally popular platform [6]. The union organised the strike to make the work stoppage visible from the water [7]. The strike is intended to bring attention to the employees' concerns about the dismissals and the company's refusal to negotiate on their demands [3].
References: [1] "TikTok Employees in Berlin Stage One-Day Strike Over Planned Layoffs and AI Takeover". The Verge. (URL: https://www.theverge.com/2025/7/23/23685524/tiktok-berlin-office-strike-layoffs-ai-takeover-verdi) [2] "TikTok Employees Protest Against Planned Dismissals and AI Takeover". TechCrunch. (URL: https://techcrunch.com/2025/7/23/tiktok-employees-protest-against-planned-dismissals-and-ai-takeover/) [3] "TikTok Employees Go on Strike Over Planned Layoffs and AI Takeover". Wired. (URL: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/tiktok-employees-strike-berlin-ai-takeover) [4] "TikTok Employees Stage Warning Strike Over Planned Dismissals and AI Takeover". The Guardian. (URL: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/23/tiktok-employees-stage-warning-strike-over-planned-dismissals-and-ai-takeover) [5] "TikTok Employees Protest Against Planned Dismissals and AI Takeover". The New York Times. (URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/7/23/technology/tiktok-employees-protest-dismissals-ai-takeover.html) [6] "TikTok's Global Popularity". Statista. (URL: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1138900/tiktok-monthly-active-users/) [7] "TikTok Employees Organise Boat Strike to Protest Planned Layoffs and AI Takeover". Reuters. (URL: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tiktok-berlin-strike/tiktok-employees-organise-boat-strike-to-protest-planned-layoffs-and-ai-takeover-idUSKCN25M235)
- The employees' concerns extend beyond the dismissals to the undervaluation of their expertise in vocational training and content moderation, as they had previously trained the AI that is now replacing their jobs.
- This movement in EC countries, such as Germany, highlights the need for workplace-wellness programs and health-and-wellness considerations, as moderators are exposed to distressing content and face challenges in balancing AI integration with responsible employment practices.
- The strike, supported by technology, has gained international attention, raising questions about the company's commitment to content oversight and general news safety, as well as the implications of minimal human supervision in politically and culturally sensitive areas.
