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Tesla factory in Grünheide: "Maybe in the wrong place"
Photo: Patrick Pleul / dpa
The criticism of Tesla by trade unionists is now also calling politicians into action.
Brandenburg's Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (SPD) has appealed to the US electric car manufacturer to improve the working conditions for its employees at the plant in Grünheide near Berlin.
The reason for this is allegations by IG Metall.
Irene Schulz, district manager of IG Metall for Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony, said recently that employees reported to the union that they were dissatisfied with the stressful shift systems, frequent overtime at weekends, a very high workload overall and too few staff.
According to employees in the production halls, it is sometimes too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
IG Metall complained that there was no management culture at Tesla that promoted an open debate in the company about such issues.
According to Tesla, it currently employs more than 7,000 people at the Grünheide plant.
Economics Minister Steinbach now told the "Handelsblatt": "In view of the bottlenecks in skilled workers and workers in Brandenburg, in the competition for personnel only companies will succeed in the long term in attracting and retaining sufficient skilled workers and workers who want attractive working conditions offer good work.«
This applies equally to all companies, "but in view of the large number of personnel increases required in a short time, of course for Tesla in particular".
At the same time, with a view to Grünheide, the minister reminded that in the event of a conflict, trade union members can receive advice on labor and social law from the trade union free of charge.
»In addition, employees can contact the works council if there are problems or concerns.«
According to IG Metall, Tesla employees are unsure whether they should even be able to talk to the union about the employment contracts.
Because they would have to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the employment contract.
"Secrecy regulations are reminiscent of a sect"
The federal deputy of the CDU employee wing, Christian Bäumler, also sees German authorities as having a duty.
"The state government in Brandenburg is required to enforce occupational safety through close controls at Tesla without wrong consideration," Bäumler told the "Handelsblatt".
Tesla has still not arrived in Europe with its internal policy.
“The secrecy regulations at this car manufacturer are reminiscent of a sect,” criticized Bäumler.
"Maybe in the wrong place with his investment in Germany"
A vacancy for a Security Intelligence Investigator is also causing excitement at Tesla.
"You will conduct both proactive and reactive investigations and actively address internal and external threats to Tesla's proprietary and confidential information," the company's job posting reads.
The head of the SPD employee wing, Cansel Kiziltepe, criticized in the "Handelsblatt" that Tesla was the only car manufacturer in Germany without a collective agreement.
"We can now see what this leads to: overload, insecurity and spying by the executive floor."
Kiziltepe said the success of the German economy is based on a "constructive" social partnership between unions and employers.
With a view to Tesla, she added: "Anyone who does not realize this may be in the wrong place with their investment in Germany."
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