Works Council Election at Tesla IG Metall Wins Works Council Election at Tesla

Employees at electric car manufacturer Tesla’s “Gigafactory” in Berlin-Brandenburg, located in Grünheide, have elected a new works council. With 39.4 percent of the vote and an expected 16 out of 39 seats, the IG Metall slate will be the largest group on the future works council.

“In such a short time, you’ve run a fantastic election campaign with a clear and compelling platform for better working conditions at Tesla. My heartfelt congratulations on your great election success!” said Dirk Schulze, IG Metall regional director for Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony. “And a big thank you to all voters who placed their trust in IG Metall and cast their votes for us.” 

A total of nine slates with 234 candidates are running for election.

IG Metall List for More Humane Working Conditions at Tesla

On List 2, “IG Metall – Tesla Workers GFBB,” 106 candidates have joined forces. They want better, healthier working conditions at Tesla—and more predictability for employees. IG Metall had already repeatedly criticized working conditions at Tesla. Media reports highlighted a strikingly high number of workplace accidents.

“The current production conditions are unacceptable,” says one works council candidate. “That’s why we need longer cycle times. We need adequate assembly line breaks. And on top of that, the understaffing has to stop.”

“Many colleagues say, ‘I can’t take it anymore,’” says one of the candidates. He feels the same way. “I joined the Gigafactory three years ago. I was excited. I was really eager to make a difference. After three years, I’m exhausted.”

Media Reports: Tesla Management Influences Employees

According to media reports, Tesla management influenced employees in the run-up to the works council election through various actions. The Märkische Onlinezeitung (MOZ) reported that managers were campaigning against IG Metall, claiming that IG Metall was harming Tesla. Buttons bearing the slogan “Giga YES – Union NO” were distributed at the plant. The MOZ quoted employees who reported “difficulties” for pro-union workers.

CEO Elon Musk himself also warned against collective bargaining agreements in a speech to the workforce in Grünheide—and against an “external entity whose interests may not align with those of Tesla,” without specifically naming IG Metall. The Handelsblatt, which has a recording of Musk’s speech, also reported on this. In addition, the former works council chair reportedly railed against IG Metall in public.

Nevertheless, the IG Metall slate has now won the most votes.

The IG Metall slate ran in the works council election with this ten-point platform:

1. The works council must stand with the workforce—no ifs, ands, or buts.
2. Production can be more humane: longer cycle times, adequate assembly line breaks, and an end to understaffing.
3. Employees’ free time belongs to them: at least 20 days of vacation to use as they please, weekends they can plan around.
4. Hire temporary workers permanently: Temporary work means constant uncertainty. Our colleagues must be hired permanently—especially when shifts are understaffed across the board.
5. Health protection instead of pressure on the sick: No more wage deductions for sick leave. Better health protection in all workplaces.
6. An end to old-boy networks—equal opportunities for all: Ability and performance, not connections, must determine who gets promoted. Managers must be properly trained so that teams function more effectively.
7. Safety first—nothing is more important than the safety of our colleagues: In the pursuit of “Tesla Speed,” corners are too often cut when it comes to accident prevention. That must change.
8. No discrimination: Equal opportunities for everyone at the Gigafactory, regardless of origin, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
9. Freedom of expression instead of pressure: Criticism and suggestions for improvement must be taken seriously and must not be suppressed.
10. Collective bargaining agreement: Higher wages, shorter working hours, more vacation time: All of this should be legally secured in a collective bargaining agreement between IG Metall and Tesla.

Works Council Election Despite Production Halt

The early re-election of the works council at Tesla in Grünheide—just two years after the last election—was required by law because the number of employees has increased significantly to around 12,500.

As with the first works council election two years ago—before the plant even opened—IG Metall criticized the once again early election date and the unnecessarily high time pressure. Production has repeatedly come to a standstill in recent weeks, first due to a shortage of parts and then because an attack on a power pole cut off the electricity supply. As a result, production workers were rarely at the plant, putting them at a disadvantage in the works council election. Labor courts have found serious violations by the election committee at Tesla. Nevertheless, the works council election took place as planned.

IG Metall Stands Behind the Tesla Plant

IG Metall District Director Schulze also expressly reaffirms that IG Metall has supported the establishment—and now the expansion—of the Tesla plant from day one. “IG Metall is the union for all workers in the automotive industry in Germany. For us, it goes without saying that we support the construction and expansion of the plant in Grünheide. We support a Tesla plant in Grünheide that offers employees the good working conditions customary in the industry. The active IG Metall members at the plant are working toward this goal with incredible passion and steadfastness. The entire organization supports them in this effort and stands behind them so that they can withstand the headwinds currently blowing in their direction from above.”

Further reports and background information are available from IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony.

Visit the IG Metall@Tesla website.

“IG Metall Is Inside Tesla”: Report on the flash action in October 2023.