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Key takeaways
- IG Metall accuses Tesla of creating a hostile work environment by overburdening employees.
- The German trade union is taking legal action against Tesla over slander and false accusations.
- Tesla is under mounting pressure from the union, which is demanding better working conditions and recognition of the value of employees.
A major German trade union is accusing Tesla of creating a hostile work environment at its factory in Berlin. Tensions are rising in the run-up to crucial works council elections, with the union IG Metall accusing Tesla of overburdening staff and putting pressure on sick employees. This is reported by Bloomberg News.
Legal action
The union has taken legal action against Tesla and has asked the labour court to ban false accusations that one of its members recorded a works council meeting. In addition, it has requested an investigation into slander against a local Tesla manager.
IG Metall leader Jan Otto condemned Tesla’s aggressive tactics towards trade unions in Germany. He made it clear that the company must be held accountable for its actions. The upcoming works council elections are seen as a crucial moment for IG Metall, as it aims to win a majority and establish standard European wage agreements at the plant.
Elon Musk’s stance
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has consistently spoken out against trade unions and collective bargaining. In Germany, employee representatives typically hold half of the seats on the supervisory boards of large companies, giving them significant influence over strategic decisions.
The elections at Tesla coincide with similar votes at other German carmakers, such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen. These elections are taking place during a difficult period for the European car industry, marked by a shift in production to lower-cost countries and more subdued demand compared with pre-pandemic levels.
Falling sales figures
The situation is particularly critical for Tesla in Germany, where European sales figures are falling despite the growing market for electric cars. The number of new Tesla registrations in Germany has dropped significantly, prompting longstanding complaints from employees about unfair working conditions.
IG Metall is cooperating in an investigation into the laptop dispute, with the employee granting access to the device in order to speed up the process and refute the accusations. The union is advocating improvements at the Grünheide plant, including more staff, more frequent breaks and greater flexibility regarding holiday entitlement.
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