Tesla and IG Metall have reached a settlement in their high-profile dispute over an alleged unauthorized recording at Gigafactory Berlin, easing tensions just days before critical works council elections.
The agreement, reached before the labour court in Frankfurt (Oder), temporarily halts further public accusations related to the controversial February 10 meeting. According to court spokeswoman Jutta Homann, both sides have committed not to repeat certain allegations connected to the incident until the works council elections conclude on March 4. (via Stern)
The settlement follows weeks of escalating legal action between the Tesla and Germany’s largest metalworkers’ union.
Dual Investigations Now De-Escalated
The conflict began when Tesla accused an IG Metall union secretary of secretly recording a works council meeting using a laptop. The company filed a criminal complaint, prompting prosecutors to open an investigation into possible violations of confidentiality laws and the Works Constitution Act.
In response, IG Metall denied the allegations and filed its own criminal complaint against Tesla plant manager André Thierig, alleging defamation.
With the new settlement in place, both sides appear to be stepping back from further public escalation—at least for now.
Focus Shifts to Works Council Election
The timing of the dispute has been closely tied to the upcoming works council vote at Gigafactory Berlin, Tesla’s only European manufacturing plant, located in Grünheide near Berlin. Approximately 11,000 employees work at the facility, which produces vehicles for the European market.
IG Metall district manager Jan Otto said the settlement allows attention to return to workplace priorities. “Next week’s election is about better working conditions in the Gigafactory – there is a lot to do.”
The union has been pushing for a formal collective bargaining agreement at the plant, something Tesla has historically resisted. While IG Metall holds representation within the works council structure, the facility does not operate under a traditional union contract.
As we told you earlier today, Elon Musk recently delivered a message to Gigafactory Berlin employees via a pre-recorded video. In that address, Musk warned that the plant’s future expansion could be at risk if it did not remain, in his words, “free from external influences.”
