Complaint against Tesla Berlin director: social crisis

The social climate is deteriorating rapidly at Gigafactory Berlin. André Thierig, head of Tesla’s Grünheide plant, is currently under investigation for defamation following a complaint filed by IG Metall. The incident, which took place during a works council meeting on February 10, comes at a particularly sensitive time: three weeks before elections that will determine representation for the plant’s 11,000 employees. I’ve rarely seen such an escalation in labor relations at Tesla in Europe, and the consequences could be long-lasting for the future of this strategic plant.

The incident setting Giga Berlin ablaze

Everything accelerated on February 10, 2026. During a works council meeting, André Thierig publicly accused an IG Metall union representative of making a secret recording of the discussions. The Gigafactory director’s reaction was immediate and dramatic.

Thierig didn’t hesitate to post on X (formerly Twitter) to denounce what he sees as a serious breach of confidentiality. But he went further: he called the police on the spot, triggering a police intervention inside the Grünheide plant itself.

The targeted union member’s computer was seized by the authorities, and a parallel investigation was opened against him for breach of confidentiality. Several witnesses present describe an “electric” atmosphere during and after the incident. Tensions, already palpable for several months, crossed a new threshold that day.

Two versions in direct opposition

Tesla and André Thierig’s position

From management’s side, the accusations are clear and unqualified. André Thierig claims that an illegal recording of a confidential meeting did take place. To justify calling the police, he cites the need to protect the confidentiality of internal discussions, particularly sensitive in the pre-election period.

On social media, the Giga Berlin director’s tone remains combative. He says he won’t let this kind of behavior slide and that he intends to defend the integrity of the company’s internal processes.

IG Metall’s counterattack

For its part, IG Metall categorically denies any form of secret recording. The union goes even further, pointing to a “smear campaign” orchestrated by Tesla management to discredit union representatives.

The legal response was swift. IG Metall filed a defamation complaint with the Frankfurt (Oder) public prosecutor’s office and requested a court injunction to stop what the union calls the “spread of false information.”

According to IG Metall, this case is part of a deliberate intimidation strategy aimed at weakening union representation just before crucial elections. The timing, they say, is no coincidence.

Explosive timing three weeks before the elections

The works council elections are scheduled for March 2–4, 2026. The 11,000 employees of Gigafactory Berlin will be called to the polls to choose their representatives. This is the first major election since the plant’s significant ramp-up.

The stakes are strategic for all parties. IG Metall has long sought to strengthen its presence in the plant, while Tesla has always shown strong reluctance toward unionization, consistent with its American corporate culture.

The question is legitimate: was this incident accidental, or strategically timed? The climate of mistrust that has taken hold is very likely to influence employees’ votes. This case also echoes executive departures in other Tesla divisions, revealing broader management tensions within the group.

What legal and operational consequences?

The risks for André Thierig

The defamation investigation opened against André Thierig is no small matter. In Germany, unlike in the United States, defamation is taken very seriously by the courts. Proceedings can be lengthy and the consequences significant.

The risks for the Giga Berlin director are multiple: a substantial fine, potential professional sanctions, and above all lasting damage to his reputation. If the complaint succeeds, the impact on his role as director could be considerable, potentially even calling into question whether he can remain at this level of responsibility.

Impact on Giga Berlin’s social climate

Beyond the legal aspects, the plant’s entire social climate is under threat. The escalation of tensions between management and union representatives is creating a dangerous polarization among the 11,000 employees.

The operational consequences could be severe: lower productivity, higher turnover, difficulty attracting new talent. The European Gigafactory, a strategic plant for winning the continental market, cannot afford a prolonged social crisis.

This precedent could also influence labor relations in other Gigafactories, creating a domino effect that Tesla will want to avoid at all costs.

The Tesla model vs. German union culture

This case perfectly illustrates the culture clash between two worlds. Tesla has always taken a firmly non-union approach, notably toward the UAW (United Auto Workers) in the United States. Elon Musk has never hidden his distrust of unions.

But in Germany, unionism is deeply rooted in German union culture. The co-determination (Mitbestimmung) system gives works councils considerable powers, far greater than what exists in other countries. German labor law offers particularly strong protection for employee representatives.

IG Metall had already tried to establish the union at Tesla Grünheide in 2022, with an invitation that went unanswered. The Tesla model, typical of Silicon Valley, clashes head-on with the German Mittelstand tradition, where structured social dialogue is the norm.

This situation also echoes certain French issues. Our social model shares several similarities with Germany when it comes to employee representation. As explained in detail by the relevant authorities, the German Betriebsrat regularly informs thinking on how French works councils might evolve.

The question remains open: can Tesla sustainably maintain its anti-union model in Europe, faced with legal and cultural frameworks so different from those of the United States?

This case is far from over. The coming weeks will be decisive, between the works council election results and the progress of the legal proceedings. I’ll keep following this situation closely, because it says a lot about Tesla’s future in Europe and the manufacturer’s ability to adapt to the social realities of the Old Continent.