The IG Metall union suffered a major setback in the works council election at Tesla in Grünheide, Oder-Spree district, losing significant support among the workforce. Voting took place from Monday to Wednesday of last week at the Gigafactory. According to preliminary results, the “Giga United” list, led by incumbent works council chairwoman Michaela Schmitz, won 16 of the 37 seats, while the IG Metall list secured only 13 mandates. Around 10,703 employees were eligible to vote, with a turnout of approximately 87 percent, according to the company. This makes the defeat particularly significant, as the union lost considerable support not due to weak mobilization, but despite the high voter turnout. (rbb: 05.02.26)
Works council election reveals IG Metall’s collapse
The figures mark a clear loss of power. In the previous election, IG Metall was the strongest force on the council, but this time it slipped to second place. According to preliminary results, “Giga United” received 3,765 votes, while the IG Metall list garnered 2,898. This means the union not only lost seats but also a significant loss of support among employees.
The result is particularly significant because IG Metall has long sought to expand its influence at Tesla. It aimed to gain more power within the plant and exert greater influence on the works council, but failed once again. As a result, the majority on the works council is no longer held by union members.
Other lists gain further weight
The remaining eight seats went to smaller lists not affiliated with the union. In total, 24 of the 37 seats went to non-union lists. This significantly shifts the balance of power within the council, while IG Metall was unable to maintain its previous position.
A total of 550 candidates ran on eleven lists. This number alone demonstrates the fierce competition in the works council election at the plant. Nevertheless, IG Metall’s intensive campaign ultimately proved ineffective, and its competitors continued to gain ground.
Defeat with a signal effect for the plant
For IG Metall, this result is more than just a minor setback. The employees clearly expressed less confidence in the union in this works council election than in previous elections. This strikes at a crucial juncture for the union, as the works council wields considerable influence over employee representation in the day-to-day operations of the plant.
Following the poor showing, IG Metall stated its intention to continue advocating for improved working conditions at the Gigafactory. However, the decisive finding remains clear: a significant portion of the workforce was unwilling to grant the union a leading role this time around. This is precisely what makes the defeat in Grünheide so significant.