Just weeks before works council elections at US electric carmaker Tesla’s plant in Grünheide, Brandenburg, the conflict between management and the IG Metall union has further escalated. On Tuesday, the union said it had filed a criminal complaint for defamation against the plant’s managing director, André Thierig. According to IG Metall, Thierig has spread “false allegations” against a Tesla works council member affiliated with the union.
Tesla has accused the employee of recording a works council meeting and has initiated criminal proceedings as a result. “Our interest is that the criminal proceedings initiated by Tesla against an IG Metall employee are concluded quickly,” said Jan Otto, IG Metall’s regional head for Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony. The works council member concerned denies the allegations, according to the union.
IG Metall views the action against its colleague as further evidence of what it describes as the company’s “aggressive” conduct toward employee representatives. “We will defend ourselves against this with all available means, including legal ones,” Otto said. The union has also applied for an injunction in court to prohibit Thierig from “continuing to spread false claims.” In addition, it is preparing a lawsuit over alleged obstruction of union activities.
A battle for majority control of the works council is underway at Tesla. Currently, around 40 percent of the works council members are affiliated with IG Metall. Following the election at the beginning of March, the union hopes to secure a majority and aims to negotiate a collective agreement at the company. Tesla chief Elon Musk is an outspoken opponent of unions.
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