The non-union Giga United group secured 24 of 37 seats with 40.4% of votes in the works council election at Tesla's Gigafactory Grünheide near Berlin, concluding March 4, 2026. IG Metall's list took 13 seats at 31.1%—down from 39.4% in 2024—amid mutual accusations of intimidation, legal disputes, and Elon Musk's anti-union stance.
The election at Tesla's only German Gigafactory in Grünheide, southeast of Berlin, ran March 2-4, 2026, with 87% turnout among 10,703 eligible employees (down from prior election). The council shrank to 37 seats from 39 as the workforce fell to around 10,000 from 12,415. Giga United, led by chairwoman Michaela Schmitz, won a majority for non-union representation. The Polish Initiative placed third at 8.3%, with votes split among 11 lists.
IG Metall, dominant at other German automakers like BMW and Volkswagen, aimed for control but fell short, holding 16 of 39 seats in 2024. Tesla Plant Manager André Thierig called the result a 'clear message' for 'independent co-determination.' IG Metall's Laura Arndt acknowledged: 'Unfortunately it was not enough to secure a majority … we will continue to do our utmost in the new works council to bring about change.' District leader Jan Otto accused Tesla and Musk of pressuring workers, claiming support for unions leads to 'disadvantages' and hollowing out democracy.
Campaign tensions included Tesla accusing an IG Metall rep of secretly recording a meeting (police seized the laptop); the union labeled it a 'calculated lie,' sued Thierig for defamation, and pursued union-busting claims (later settled). Tesla held an anti-union concert in December 2025, distributed 'Giga JA – Gewerkschaft NEIN' buttons, and shared Musk's video warning that external organizations could hinder expansion (e.g., Cybercab, Semi), though the factory would not close.
IG Metall seeks a collective bargaining agreement—the plant's absence of one since opening in 2022 enables direct management-employee relations but draws criticism for overwork, sick pay issues, manager home visits, and layoffs. Tesla cites above-average wages and claims union motives include membership growth. IG Metall chair Christiane Benner decried a 'hard and dirty campaign.' The Brandenburg government urged mediation.
Operating at ~40% of 375,000 Model Y capacity, the plant faced a 14% workforce cut amid 2025 European Tesla sales down 28% and German registrations 48% to 19,390, hit by Chinese EV competition. This is the third election since 2022; the next is 2028.
