Tesla Files Criminal Complaint Against IG Metall Union Member for Secretly Recording Works Council Meeting

Tesla has filed a criminal complaint against an IG Metall union member who secretly recorded a works council meeting at its Berlin-area plant on February 09, 2026, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters. Manager Andre Thierig confirmed the member, an external IG Metall guest, began recording the non-public meeting with his computer. Tesla alleges the act constituted a criminal offense under Germany’s rules on private meetings. The incident follows ongoing tensions between Tesla and the German union.