Germany’s largest metalworkers union, IG Metall, on Tuesday lodged a criminal complaint against the manager of Tesla’s factory near Berlin, alleging he engaged in "spreading false allegations," the union said. The complaint is the latest development in a deteriorating relationship between the union and the U.S. automaker.
In addition to the criminal complaint, IG Metall said it had applied to a labour court for a temporary injunction aimed at preventing Andre Thierig from continuing to make the disputed allegations. The union framed the legal actions as defensive measures in response to what it described as aggressive corporate behaviour toward workers’ representation.
Tesla did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment about the union's filing.
The union linked its action to a separate legal move by Tesla last week. According to an internal memo to staff that was seen by Reuters and which Tesla has confirmed, the company filed a criminal complaint against an IG Metall member who is accused of secretly recording a works council meeting at the plant.
IG Metall said on Tuesday it was preparing a further lawsuit against Tesla, alleging that the company obstructed union activities. Jan Otto, speaking for the union, said in a statement that legal proceedings were not the preferred route for resolving disputes but that when a company aggressively fights workers’ participation and union work, the union will defend itself using all available legal means.
"Legal disputes are not our preferred form of dispute resolution," said Jan Otto. "But when a company fights workers’ participation and union work so aggressively, we defend ourselves with all means at our disposal, including legal ones."
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The situation between IG Metall and Tesla now encompasses multiple legal filings on both sides: a criminal complaint by Tesla regarding an alleged secret recording, a criminal complaint by IG Metall against a factory manager for allegedly spreading false allegations, a labour court injunction request, and an announced planned lawsuit by the union alleging obstruction of union activities.
All parties' public positions are limited to the filings and the statements cited above; further developments will depend on court and company responses.