TikTok Accused of Union-Busting After Firing Content Moderators
Recently, a group of former TikTok content moderators in the UK filed a legal claim with an employment tribunal, alleging that the company engaged in union-busting by laying off around 400 moderators who were in the process of unionizing. The firings occurred just before Christmas, and a week prior to a scheduled vote to establish a collective bargaining unit. The moderators had been seeking better protection against the personal toll of processing traumatic content at a high speed, as well as improved working conditions.
The workers, who were responsible for ensuring that TikTok’s 30 million monthly users were not exposed to harmful content, claimed that they were subjected to unfair dismissal and that the company violated UK trade union laws. According to John Chadfield, the national officer for tech workers at the Communication Workers Union (CWU), “Content moderators have the most dangerous job on the internet… They are exposed to child sex abuse material, executions, war, and drug use. Their job is to make sure this content doesn’t reach TikTok’s users. It is high pressure and low paid.” Chadfield emphasized that the moderators wanted input into their workflows and more say over how they kept the platform safe, but were being asked to do too much with too few resources.
TikTok’s Response: AI-Driven Restructuring
TikTok denied the accusations of union-busting, calling them “baseless.” Instead, the company claimed that the layoffs were part of a restructuring plan aimed at adopting AI for content moderation. The company stated that 91 percent of transgressive content is now removed automatically, implying that the role of human moderators is becoming less necessary. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism by the CWU, which argues that the timing of the layoffs is suspicious, given that they occurred just as the moderators were organizing for union recognition.
John Chadfield had previously warned about the risks of replacing human moderation teams with AI alternatives, stating that it would have “real-world costs” for workers and the public. The CWU has accused TikTok of prioritizing corporate greed over the safety of workers and the public, and of engaging in union-busting tactics to prevent the moderators from organizing. The case highlights the challenges faced by content moderators, who are often exposed to traumatic material and work under high-pressure conditions, and the need for better protection and support for these workers.
Implications and Next Steps
The outcome of the employment tribunal will be closely watched, as it has implications for the rights of content moderators and the use of AI in content moderation. The case also raises questions about the accountability of tech companies and their responsibility to protect the well-being of their workers. As the use of AI in content moderation becomes more widespread, it is essential to ensure that the rights of human moderators are protected and that they are not unfairly replaced by automated systems. The CWU and other unions will continue to advocate for the rights of tech workers, including content moderators, to ensure that they are treated fairly and with dignity.
