Giga Berlin: IG Metall Accused of Secret Recording

This week, the Tesla plant in Grünheide was the scene of a rather unusual event: a police intervention right inside the Gigafactory, with the seizure of a laptop belonging to a representative of IG Metall, the powerful German metalworkers’ union. The accusation? A secret recording during a confidential meeting. The timing? Just two weeks before the works council elections, which are expected to be crucial. Between Tesla’s version, which speaks of an open-and-shut case, and IG Metall’s, which denounces electoral manipulation, I will break down this case for you, which speaks volumes about the tensions within Giga Berlin.

A Police Intervention Shakes the German Plant

The Facts as We Know Them

On Tuesday afternoon, police intervened at the Grünheide Gigafactory to seize the laptop of an IG Metall representative. The official reason? Suspicion of unauthorized audio recording during a confidential works council meeting.

According to Tesla, employees raised the alarm after noticing the union representative’s suspicious behavior. A police investigation has been opened by the public prosecutor’s office in Frankfurt (Oder), but at this stage, no charges have yet been officially filed.

The case is in the hands of the judiciary, and we will have to await the results of the technical expertise to know what the computer actually contained.

Tesla’s Version: An “Open-and-Shut Case”

André Thierig, the plant director, did not mince his words: according to him, the union representative was “caught in the act” of recording. For Tesla, it was a legal obligation to report this alleged offense to the authorities.

The company’s official position is clear: protect the confidentiality of internal discussions and adhere to current regulations. But a legitimate question arises: why act now, precisely two weeks before a major election? The timing inevitably raises questions.

What Does German Law Really Say About Such Recordings?

In Germany, the legal framework is particularly strict: recording a private conversation without the explicit consent of all participants constitutes a criminal offense. This is even more sensitive when it comes to a non-public meeting like that of a works council, whose confidential nature is protected by law.

The risks involved are not insignificant: substantial fines and possible serious professional consequences. For my French readers, it’s important to know that German labor law is much more rigorous on this point than our legislation.

The exception? A recording is only permitted if ALL participants have given their explicit consent beforehand. Without this, even a simple voice memo can pose legal problems.

IG Metall Denounces an “Electoral Maneuver”

The Union’s Counter-Narrative

IG Metall categorically denies the accusations. The union openly speaks of “electoral tactics” and “manipulation” orchestrated by Tesla. Their main argument? This timing, two weeks before the elections, is obviously no coincidence.

According to the union, this affair is deliberately aimed at discrediting their movement among the 11,000 employees of the plant just before they go to the polls. A strategy that, if proven, would be particularly cynical.

A History of Tensions

It should be remembered that IG Metall has been trying to establish itself at Giga Berlin since the plant opened in 2022. Tensions are not new: working conditions, wages, production rates… there have been many points of friction.

Tesla’s corporate culture, historically not inclined to union dialogue in its American factories, clashes here with a well-established German tradition. For IG Metall, Giga Berlin represents a major strategic stake: 11,000 potential employees is a stronghold they cannot afford to lose in the German automotive sector.

Crucial Elections in an Explosive Context

The vote from March 2 to 4, 2026 will determine the composition of the works council for the next four years. The 11,000 eligible employees in Grünheide will elect their representatives in a climate that is, to say the least, tense.

But what exactly is a German works council (Betriebsrat)? It is an employee representation body that has real co-determination power on certain subjects such as working hours or work organization. Be careful not to confuse: a Betriebsrat is not a trade union, even if the two often collaborate.

For Tesla, a works council with a pro-IG Metall majority would profoundly change the balance of power in the factory. For the union, a victory would consolidate their legitimacy and allow them to permanently establish their presence. The stakes are therefore considerable for both sides.

Tesla and Unions: A Difficult Coexistence in Europe

This affair perfectly illustrates the clash of cultures between the American model of Tesla, where unionization is weak, and the German co-determination model that prevails in the European automotive industry.

In Germany, the tradition of social dialogue is particularly strong among established manufacturers like Volkswagen, BMW, or Mercedes. Elon Musk, who has always been critical of unions, must contend with this cultural reality, which is very different from what he knows across the Atlantic.

The question remains open: will Giga Berlin become a successful hybrid model or will it remain a permanent source of tension? The future of other Tesla sites in Europe may depend on the answer.

For now, the investigation is ongoing, and it would be premature to draw definitive conclusions. The March elections will tell us a lot about the actual social climate within the factory and Tesla’s ability to adapt to European specificities. If you want to better understand the particular functioning of the German employee representation system, I recommend consulting official German sources that detail this unique co-determination model.

What is certain is that this affair extends far beyond Grünheide: it raises the question of a disruptive Californian company’s adaptability to European social traditions. The standoff has probably only just begun.