Tensions continue to rise at Tesla’s Giga Berlin as the plant manager, André Thierig, comes under legal scrutiny following a complaint lodged by IG Metall, one of Germany’s largest industrial unions. As works council elections approach, the dispute draws attention to ongoing labor relations at the factory, which employs around 11,000 people. The upcoming elections now become a focal point, with both management and union representatives contending for greater sway over the plant’s workplace dynamics. The stakes are heightened for both Tesla and IG Metall, given the factory’s significance in Tesla’s European operations and the ongoing negotiations over labor practices.
Investigations relating to labor disputes at Giga Berlin are not new, as earlier reports highlighted ongoing disagreements between Tesla management and IG Metall over workplace representation and meeting transparency. Until now, most incidents involved disputes over working conditions and union access, with legal intervention being less common. The current focus on allegations of defamation and potential contractual violations brings legal aspects of the labor-management relationship to the surface, adding a new layer to well-documented debates about union influence at the site.
What Prompted the Legal Dispute?
Authorities from the Frankfurt (Oder) prosecutor’s office have confirmed an active investigation, targeting Thierig after IG Metall’s criminal defamation complaint. The conflict stems from events at a recent works council meeting, when Tesla accused an IG Metall representative of making an unauthorized recording. Thierig publicly commented on the incident, stating,
“What has happened today at Giga Berlin is truly beyond words!”
and also pointed out that police involvement followed swiftly after the discovery.
How Are Both Parties Responding?
Following the episode, police confiscated a laptop belonging to an IG Metall member and opened a separate case against the union’s representative for possible violations of confidentiality rules. IG Metall has rejected the accusations and maintains the meeting was not improperly recorded. The union stated that its member allowed their device to be checked to address concerns promptly. Seeking to restrict public statements by Tesla’s plant manager, IG Metall requested a court order to stop the dissemination of what it terms misleading claims. The union emphasized,
“We want to prohibit Thierig from further disseminating false claims.”
How Could the Situation Impact Works Council Elections?
The dispute coincides with preparations for the upcoming works council elections, scheduled for March 2–4, 2026. With thousands of Tesla employees eligible to vote, the incident and subsequent public attention may influence perceptions about labor rights and the relationship between management and unions. The elections are seen as a critical juncture for both parties, as the council’s composition will shape staff representation in future negotiations.
Legal and procedural disputes such as this highlight the complexities facing multinational companies like Tesla as they navigate Germany’s strong labor laws and union culture. For individuals following developments at Giga Berlin, it is useful to observe that labor relations in German companies often involve legal recourse and court interventions when disputes escalate. Participants in the works council elections may find the current situation impacting their decisions, as both management conduct and union involvement are debated in public forums. Those interested in the employment landscape at Tesla’s European plants should note that such developments can signal future trends in workplace representation and conflict resolution strategies.
