A strong German union has threatened a possible strike at Tesla Gigafactory Berlin after a contentious assembly with administration.
Tesla lately held a employees assembly at Gigafactory Berlin amid a push to unionize the manufacturing unit.
A majority of Tesla Gigafactory Berlin staff voted towards union representatives of IG Metall of their new work council earlier this 12 months, however the union has nonetheless made vital progress. The highly effective union managed to get 16 seats on the employee council, greater than some other group.
The union is utilizing allegations of security considerations, pay and extra on the manufacturing unit.
Tesla, which is notoriously towards unionization, has lately pushed again towards the trouble, and it has promoted initiatives to enhance morale, together with a newly unveiled gymnasium:
And a brand new rave cave:
In line with the German publication DW, security, job safety, and pay considerations pushed by IG Metall dominated the dialogue on the assembly. Current layoffs had been additionally mentioned.
However the second that took over all of the headlines was when plant supervisor Andre Thierig took the stage and complained about espresso mugs disappearing from the plant:
I’m simply going to provide you a determine. We’ve purchased 65,000 espresso mugs since we began manufacturing right here. 65.000! Statistically talking, every of you already has 5 Ikea espresso cups at residence. I’m actually bored with approving orders to purchase extra espresso cups.
This was met by laughter from the gang, however Thierig severely mentioned that he would take away cutlery from the break rooms if it continued.
On a extra critical word, IG Metall union secretary Jannes Bojert said {that a} strike is a chance amid tensions between staff and the administration, however it could be a “final resort”.
Michaela Schmitz, the reelected chief of the Employee’s Council, believes that the union is the one stirring issues up.