New Head of Germany's Biggest Union Takes Aim at Tesla Over Unionization Efforts

The new head of Germany’s biggest union, IG Metall, has taken aim at Tesla over its efforts to avoid unionization at its factory near Berlin.

Christiane Benner, who took over as president of IG Metall on Monday, said in an interview with Bloomberg that the union would not tolerate Tesla’s attempts to prevent workers from forming a union.

“You need to be careful,” Benner said. “The rules of the game are different here.”

Benner’s comments come as Tesla prepares to ramp up production at its Berlin factory. The company has already hired thousands of workers but has yet to agree to a contract with IG Metall.

Tesla has been accused of using anti-union tactics at its factories in the United States. In 2019, the National Labor Relations Board found that Tesla had illegally fired employees for trying to organize a union.

IG Metall is one of the most powerful unions in Germany. It represents over 2.3 million workers in the metalworking and electrical industries. The union has a long history of fighting for workers’ rights, and it is expected to put up a strong fight against Tesla’s anti-union efforts.

The clash between IG Metall and Tesla is a significant development. It is one of the first major tests of the union’s strength under its new leadership.

Benner’s comments signal to Tesla that the union will not tolerate its anti-union tactics. IG Metall is a powerful force in Germany with a long history of successfully organizing workers.

Tesla is facing a number of challenges in Germany, including production delays and supply chain disruptions. The company also faces increasing competition from other automakers, such as Volkswagen and BMW.

The unionization issue could add to Tesla’s challenges in Germany. If Tesla workers can form a union, it could lead to higher wages and better benefits for workers, but it could also increase costs for the company.

The clash between IG Metall and Tesla is a significant development. It is one of the first major tests of the union’s strength under its new leadership. The outcome of the clash will have implications for both the union and Tesla.