Before the first works council election at Tesla, active metalworkers from all over Germany sent a message of solidarity to the new colleagues at the German plant of the US group. In a YouTube video published today, they emphasize the common interest in strong advocacy and good working conditions.
“Our bosses and our companies are competitors – we are not,” is the message from Uwe Kunstmann, works council at the Volkswagen Sachsen GmbH plant in Zwickau, to the new colleagues at Tesla. “Only together we are strong.”
Alexander Heimerl, Deputy Chairman of the Works Council at Robert Bosch Semiconductor Manufacturing Dresden GmbH, says “greetings to Grünheide”. And adds: “We are here at the new high-tech site where we manufacture semiconductor components for you. That was an absolutely awesome action to pull up this location. But it has also brought challenges and problems. And that’s why we decided to set up a works council. And we’ve been doing better ever since. The future needs high-tech, but the future also needs co-determination and democracy.”
Congratulations André Mandl, Chairman of the Works Council at BMW Group Plant Regensburg, the Tesla employees at the start of their factory in Grünheide. And he addresses the common interests in good working conditions and good living conditions secured by collective agreements of IG Metall.
Peter Drager, Deputy Chairman of the Confidence Body Management at Airbus in Hamburg, explains: “Zero emissions – that is the future. In aviation as on the road. That is why we are facing major challenges and negotiations with our employers. But we will do well with a strong IG Metall and with our colleagues in the company and a strong lobby. And you can do it too.”
That’s the message from Daniela Zimmer from the works council at Porsche Leipzig GmbH: “We as works councils are the representatives of the employees. We are a premium manufacturer – you are a premium manufacturer. So let’s work together to ensure that your working conditions are also premium.”
Matthew Martens, Chairman of the Works Council at Gestamp Umformtechnik GmbH – Ludwigsfelde plant, says: “Welcome – nice to have you here. You have to set good standards, especially at the beginning, in order to achieve a good work-life balance in the long term.”
Dirk Vogeler, Chairman of the Works Council of ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt GmbH, explains: “We here at the site are happy to deliver our steel to Grünheide. We wish you every success in the works council election. Choose the interest group that really represents your interests.”
Fevzi Sikar, Deputy Chairman of the Works Council at the Mercedes Benz plant in Berlin-Marienfelde: “We’ve been around for 100 years. As part of the transformation, the board questioned us. We managed to fight back with IG Metall, with the shop stewards, with the works councils within the framework of co-determination. Believe me, there will come a time when you have questions, where you need help. And here IG Metall is a bank.”
Cheyenne Todaro, member of the works council at the Mercedes Benz & EvoBus plant in Mannheim, emphasises: The automotive industry is going through a period of major upheaval. And we at the Daimler Group are also affected. But we have one thing in common: we want to take our colleagues with us into this new phase. And we want to continue to campaign for future-proof jobs. And I look forward to tackling that together with you. Good luck in the upcoming works council election.
Even Birgit Dietze, district manager of IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Saxony, greets the Tesla employees: “I hope and wish that you choose a strong works council, that you choose a works council that really represents your interests. And if you feel like having a coffee, an exchange, a network or if you have any questions, then we are there for you.”
the video is here available. Next Monday, Tesla employees will elect a works council for the first time at the new plant in Grünheide in Brandenburg
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