Former TikTok content moderators in the United Kingdom have initiated legal proceedings against the social media behemoth, accusing it of unfair dismissal and "union busting" tactics. The case, filed with an employment tribunal, centres on the dismissal of hundreds of workers in London shortly before they were due to vote on forming a union.
The Dispute and Dismissals
The conflict began in August 2025, when the Communication Workers Union (CWU) prepared to ballot several hundred of TikTok's trust and safety team members. These moderators and quality assurance agents review posts, including traumatic content, to ensure compliance with platform rules. According to the legal claim, TikTok then announced a restructuring exercise that placed the proposed bargaining unit at risk of redundancy.
Approximately 400 moderators were let go before Christmas in a process that started just one week before the union vote was scheduled. The moderators had sought to establish a collective bargaining unit to address the personal toll of screening extreme and violent material.
Accusations and Denials
John Chadfield, the CWU's national officer for tech workers, stated: "This is holding TikTok to account for union busting." He emphasised the challenging nature of the moderators' roles, describing it as "the most dangerous job on the internet," involving exposure to child sexual abuse material, executions, and other graphic content. Chadfield argued the team faced high pressure with insufficient resources and desired more input into their safety workflows.
TikTok, which boasts around 30 million monthly users in the UK, has strongly refuted the allegations, labelling the legal claim as "baseless." A company spokesperson stated the job cuts were part of a global reorganisation of its trust and safety operations, driven by technological advancements. The firm claims 91% of violating content is now removed automatically by AI, reducing human moderators' exposure to graphic material by 76% over the past year.
Broader Implications for Tech Labour
The case has drawn support from the tech justice non-profit Foxglove. Its co-executive director, Rosa Curling, condemned TikTok's actions as "appalling," suggesting that laying off safety workers endangers the platform's users, including millions of children. "TikTok has made its position clear: union busting and trampling on our labour laws comes first," she said.
Michael Newman, a partner at law firm Leigh Day representing the claimants, framed the case as a significant stand against big tech. "This is an important example of how individuals who band together can stand up to the might of big tech firms," he said, adding that "the fig leaf of AI cost savings should not be allowed to obscure vital safety concerns."
The employment tribunal will now examine whether TikTok's restructuring constituted an unfair labour practice, setting a potential precedent for how tech companies manage workforce changes amid increasing automation.
