Germany’s IG Metall union has suffered a setback at Tesla Inc.’s Gigafactory in Berlin after it failed to secure a majority at a key election in the plant.
IG Metall Loses Election
On Wednesday, Gigafactory Berlin’s Director André Thierig shared the news via a post on the social media platform X, hailing it as “good news” for the facility situated in Gruenheide near Berlin.
“The union share was reduced from nearly 40% in 2024 to 31% in 2026!” Therig shared, adding that it was a “clear message” that the workers at the factory were moving “towards an independent co-determination!”
BREAKING! 🚨
IG Metall did not succeed in Giga Berlin‘s works council election earlier today. The union share was reduced from nearly 40% in 2024 to 31% in 2026!
This is a clear message by theGiga Berlin team towards an independent co-determination!
The list called Giga…
— André Thierig (@AndrThie) March 4, 2026
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Per Reuters on Wednesday, the union said that Tesla’s management has been stoking anti-union sentiments in the facility’s workforce. The union is a majority at councils across Germany’s automotive industry.
Workforce Cuts, Falling Sales
The news comes as Tesla reportedly cut its workforce at the facility, with the EV giant’s current workforce at the facility comprising 1683 women, 9006 men and 14 non-binary persons, which is over 1700 employees less than 2024’s employee figure. It’s worth noting that Tesla has denied cutting its workforce at the plant.
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Tesla has also reported falling sales in the European market, with the company’s January sales dropping 17% in the region as rival BYD Co. Ltd. reported a 165% surge in sales, continuing its strong, sustained momentum overseas amid a domestic sales slip.
Meanwhile, Tesla announced a price hike of the Cybertruck’s affordable Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive variant by $10,000, with the lineup now starting at $69,990 for the base trim and going all the way up to $99,990 for the top-spec Cyberbeast trim level.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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This article German Union IG Metall Suffers Setback With Tesla Giga Berlin Factory Loss — André Thierig Says ‘Good News’ originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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