FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Tesla employees in Germany will elect a new works council next week as union IG Metall looks to gain greater influence over pay and working conditions after accusing the U.S. automaker of inadequate safety measures.
The suspected arson shut down production at the plant near Berlin for a week earlier this month, prompting Tesla (NASDAQ:) CEO Elon Musk to visit it this week.
Elections for the new works council, to be held March 18-20, aim to fill 39 seats, according to IG Metall, Germany’s leading union, which has put forward 106 candidates in a bid to win a majority.
That would allow him to elect the board’s chairman and gain greater control over areas where the union disagrees with the automaker, which is known for its anti-union stance.
Among IG Metall’s demands are the hiring of new employees, better planning of working hours, at least 20 days of free vacation, better health protection, greater safety, higher pay and shorter working hours.
“Too often the Tesla Speed skimps on accident protection. This must change,” IG Metall regional manager Dirk Schulze said in a statement.
To put an end to understaffing, temporary workers must be hired, the union added.
Michaela Schmitz, the current head of the plant’s works council, told Reuters in emailed comments that much had been achieved in the past two years, including a wage increase of up to 18%, improved health and safety, and benefits including bike sharing and free bus rides.
“All the above-mentioned successes were achieved without a union or collective agreement, quickly, easily and taking into account the requirements of Giga Berlin,” she said, adding that this meant there was no need for “external influence in the future,” referring to IG Metall.
In October, Tesla rejected IG Metall’s claims that health and safety measures at its giant plant near Berlin were inadequate, saying protecting workers was a top priority.
Last year the company also raised wages for the plant’s 12,500 workers, a move welcomed by IG Metall’s regional head Dirk Schulze at the time, while calling for improved working conditions at the plant.