Overview
- IG Metall’s Jan Otto said the union will intensify pressure at Tesla, aiming for a works‑council majority and a collective bargaining agreement.
- A recording reported by Handelsblatt captured Tesla Germany chief André Thierig criticizing IG Metall and telling employees to be careful how they vote.
- Labor‑law experts say employer neutrality is required in council elections and warn that attempts to influence voting could carry legal consequences.
- Thierig rejected reports of any talks with the union and dismissed claims that IG Metall membership offers protection against dismissals.
- The clash follows a 2024 council vote that left a management‑aligned majority in place as union accounts cite heavy workloads, punitive practices and high turnover at the plant.