Employees at Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin have signaled a preference for independent representation over traditional unionization, according to recent works council election results. The shift marks a significant development in the ongoing discourse surrounding labor relations at the German automotive plant.
Declining Union Influence in Works Council Elections
The latest works council election at Gigafactory Berlin indicates a substantial reduction in support for IG Metall, a prominent European metalworkers’ union. Plant Manager André Thierig announced that the union’s share of the vote decreased to 31 percent in the 2026 elections, down from nearly 40 percent in 2024.
This electoral outcome is being interpreted by Tesla and some employee groups as a clear message from the workforce favoring an independent approach to employee representation and co-determination. The independent list, Giga United, led by current chairwoman Michaela Schmitz, garnered the largest share of votes, exceeding 40 percent.
Giga United Leads Vote Amidst Broader Employee Participation
The Giga Berlin team, represented by Giga United, emerged as the leading faction in the election. Thierig stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the results reflect a desire for an “independent co-determination.” He elaborated, “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!”
The election saw a high turnout, with 87 percent of the over 10,700 eligible employees casting their votes. Key outcomes included Giga United, IG Metall, and other notable groups, with the “Polish Initiative” also receiving significant support.
Maintaining Non-Union Dominance in Plant Representation
The 37-seat works council will continue to be dominated by non-unionized representatives. This outcome ensures that Gigafactory Berlin remains the only major automotive manufacturing plant in Germany operating without a collective bargaining agreement.
Tesla and Thierig have framed the election results as an endorsement of an “independent, flexible, and unbureaucratic” operational approach. They suggest this model will facilitate accelerated progress on key projects, including potential factory expansions and the development of new vehicle models.
Union Response and Previous Election Dynamics
IG Metall has expressed disappointment with the results, alleging that management employed intimidation tactics and conducted an “unfair” campaign. This assertion follows a period of increased tension between the union and Tesla management at the Berlin facility.
Just two weeks prior to the election, an incident occurred where an IG Metall representative was accused by Tesla of secretly recording a council meeting. The union subsequently filed a defamation counterclaim against the company.
The dynamics of union representation at Gigafactory Berlin have evolved since the first election in 2022. In the 2024 election, IG Metall secured the largest single faction with 39.4 percent of the vote. However, non-union lists collectively formed a majority to counter the union’s influence.
Broader Implications for Tesla’s Labor Model
The 2026 election results reinforce Tesla’s strategy of fostering direct alignment between employees and management, often bypassing traditional German union structures. This approach is being observed amidst ongoing discussions about working conditions within the automotive industry.
While IG Metall views the outcome as a setback, the union indicated it would continue its advocacy efforts. Tesla, conversely, interprets the results as validation of its operational model within the highly competitive electric vehicle market.
The long-term implications of this vote could shape future labor relations at Gigafactory Berlin. It may also influence the pace and direction of planned expansions or the introduction of new product lines, areas that CEO Elon Musk has previously discussed.