Employees at Tesla’s newest factory in Berlin, Germany are considering forming a union. The proposed union, or works council, has the backing of Germany’s largest auto sector union – IG Metall.
According to a report from the German publication focus.de, seven Tesla employees have started the process, which will begin with the selection of a election committee on November 29, 2021.
Tesla plans to have more than 12,000 employees when Giga Berlin is up and running. There are currently only about 2,000 workers at the factory, meaning the formation of the works council won’t take place any time soon.
“A works council ensures that the interests of the workforce have a voice and a weight. This is in line with the democratic work culture in Germany,” said Birgit Dietze, IG Metall district leader in Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony. (via Reuters)
IG Metall, which represents metalworkers in the auto industry, among other sectors and negotiates industry-wide contracts, says Tesla is reportedly offering to pay workers 20% less than wages reached through collective bargaining.
Tesla is still hoping to receive final approvals to begin production at the factory before the end of the year. When it does, the company will increase its hiring efforts in Germany.
Tesla and Germany’s largest union IG Metall set to do battle in Berlin
