Tesla Accuses IG Metall of Causing Unrest
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) accused Germany's IG Metall union of attempting to create unrest at the company's gigafactory near Berlin.
The union filed a motion with a local court to remove the head of the works council, who is not an IG Metall member. They cited violations of German labor law that restrict the union's influence and hinder their ability to represent workers' interests.
Tesla labeled the union's actions as "desperate," highlighting IG Metall’s efforts to improve working conditions at the factory, which is unique in Germany for lacking a collective wage agreement.
The U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer faces similar challenges in Sweden, where it also refuses to sign a collective wage agreement and is battling multiple lawsuits from a local union. Furthermore, Tesla is dealing with legal disputes in the United States related to employment practices, including claims of unlawful anti-union behavior.
Tesla maintains that its working conditions are competitive, claiming to provide equal or better terms than those determined by unions.
In a statement, Tesla said, "Since the start of the Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, IG Metall has repeatedly tried to cause unrest in our factory and hinder our success strategy. Our independence and resulting good working conditions are constantly viewed with annoyance by the union."
Earlier this year, IG Metall did not secure a majority in the works council at the Gruenheide gigafactory, obtaining only 40% of the seats within what they describe as a pro-management group. In October, the union accused the plant's management of using "aggressive tactics" against workers attempting to unionize, including the dismissal of a union representative from the council.
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