Berlin, Germany – March 5, 2026 – Employees at Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin have demonstrated a significant shift in their preference for workplace representation, with recent works council elections revealing a decline in support for the IG Metall union and a surge in backing for an independent employee group.
Works Council Election Results Indicate Employee Preference
In the latest works council elections held earlier today, the IG Metall union saw its representation share decrease to 31 percent. This marks a notable drop from nearly 40 percent in the previous election cycle. The results signal a clear message from the Gigafactory Berlin team regarding their desire for independent co-determination in workplace matters.
The independent employee list, operating under the banner “Giga United,” emerged as the leading faction. This group, spearheaded by current chairwoman Michaela Schmitz, secured more than 40 percent of the votes cast. This outcome positions Giga United as the dominant force within the factory’s representative body.
André Thierig, Plant Manager at Gigafactory Berlin, shared the election results via a post on the social platform X. He stated, “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 the Giga Berlin team towards an independent co-determination! The list called Giga United, led by the current chairwoman, Michaela Schmitz, received the most votes with more than 40%! Good news for Giga Berlin!”
High Voter Turnout and Diverse Representation
The election saw a substantial turnout, with 87 percent of the more than 10,700 eligible employees participating in the vote. Beyond Giga United and IG Metall, other groups also received votes, including a prominent showing from the “Polish Initiative.”
Despite the election results, the 37-seat works council will continue to be largely dominated by non-unionized representatives. This maintains Gigafactory Berlin’s unique status as Germany’s sole major automotive manufacturing plant operating without a collective bargaining agreement.
Differing Interpretations of Election Outcomes
Tesla management, represented by Thierig, has framed the election results as a strong endorsement of an “independent, flexible, and unbureaucratic” approach to workplace relations. This, they argue, will facilitate quicker progress on key projects, including potential factory expansions and the development of new vehicle models.
Conversely, IG Metall has expressed disappointment with the outcome. The union has alleged that Tesla management engaged in intimidation tactics and conducted an “unfair” campaign leading up to the election. This sentiment highlights the ongoing tension between the established union and Tesla’s management philosophy.
Historical Context of Labor Relations at Giga Berlin
This election follows a previous one held in 2022. In the 2024 cycle, IG Metall was the largest single group with 39.4 percent of the vote. However, at that time, non-union affiliated lists collectively held a majority on the works council.
The pre-election period was marked by heightened tensions. Just two weeks prior to the vote, an incident occurred where an IG Metall representative was accused by Tesla of secretly recording a council meeting. The union subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit in response to the accusation.
The current election results reinforce Tesla’s established strategy of fostering direct alignment between employees and management, as opposed to traditional German union structures. This approach is being closely watched amidst ongoing discussions about working conditions and employee rights within the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) sector.
Implications for Future Operations and Labor Dynamics
The outcome of the 2026 works council election is likely to influence the future labor dynamics at Gigafactory Berlin. It may also impact decisions regarding potential expansions and the rollout of new product lines, areas that CEO Elon Musk has previously indicated are priorities.
While IG Metall views the result as a setback, the union remains committed to its advocacy efforts. Tesla, on the other hand, appears to interpret the vote as a validation of its operational model, particularly in the highly competitive global EV market.