I read a German article a few days ago. They definitely threatened to withhold wages. They also pressured workers into disclosing their health info. Via email.
The Unions are (orders of magnitude) more active against Tesla than against comparable employers.
Oh and of course Tesla does not like people being in unions in the first place.
It’s the same playbook, but in a different country that actually has worker protection.
It is not only the unions, it is the law in Germany. Americans have a hard time understanding the immense power of the law protecting employees here. Withholding sick payment is about as illegal as demanding health info. Both will be easy wins in court. Tesla will find themselves in a place of legal hurt.
Germany needs to ban Tesla from their country as a whole. Confiscate the assets and continue to pay the workers until they’re relocated or another company buys the factories.
I don’t know how things work in Germany but here in Finland we have an government agency which pays salaries if company can’t or won’t as a safeguard for employees. After that they go after the company with pretty beefy lawsuits which eventually say that either the company pays for the salaries and some extra for the trouble or government just seizes and sells enough property that they get what they’re owed. And if company doesn’t have money nor property then it’ll go bankrupt and that’s it. I assume Germany (and most of the other European countries) have similar mechanisms.
And then there’s of course the union too. They can just decide to either stop coming to work altogether or go in a ‘sitting strike’, as in show up but don’t do anything during the day. And they can enforce that, you can’t just hire new people to replace those on strike.
Tesla is overtly hostile towards German unions and has convinced enough workers to not join any. They have mostly hired foreign workers who are unaware of their rights. Additionally, workers are pressured to sign documents withdrawing from their right to compensation during sick leave which isn’t illegal.
Also, the state government of Brandenburg - the location of the Tesla factory - would rather see worker’s rights trampled than Tesla face consequences. Their future election results depend on Tesla performing.
Edit to add: As far as I know, Tesla doesn’t need to pay any damages if courts overrule them denying paid sick leave. They must only pay the sick leave and for the worker’s lawyer. Denying sick leave makes them more money in the end.
I read a German article a few days ago. They definitely threatened to withhold wages. They also pressured workers into disclosing their health info. Via email.
The Unions are (orders of magnitude) more active against Tesla than against comparable employers.
Oh and of course Tesla does not like people being in unions in the first place.
It’s the same playbook, but in a different country that actually has worker protection.
It is not only the unions, it is the law in Germany. Americans have a hard time understanding the immense power of the law protecting employees here. Withholding sick payment is about as illegal as demanding health info. Both will be easy wins in court. Tesla will find themselves in a place of legal hurt.
I hope they rip Elon a big fat fancy new hole in his net wealth. Alas, someone, cue me the tiniest of violins 🎻
Germany needs to ban Tesla from their country as a whole. Confiscate the assets and continue to pay the workers until they’re relocated or another company buys the factories.
Sounds like a suit for the strong German unions.
I was about to say, this seems pretty slam dunk for them.
Even if the German courts rule in their favor (they should), good luck getting any money out of Tesla.
They can put a lien on the factory if nothing else
Good luck with trying to evade payments.
I don’t know how things work in Germany but here in Finland we have an government agency which pays salaries if company can’t or won’t as a safeguard for employees. After that they go after the company with pretty beefy lawsuits which eventually say that either the company pays for the salaries and some extra for the trouble or government just seizes and sells enough property that they get what they’re owed. And if company doesn’t have money nor property then it’ll go bankrupt and that’s it. I assume Germany (and most of the other European countries) have similar mechanisms.
And then there’s of course the union too. They can just decide to either stop coming to work altogether or go in a ‘sitting strike’, as in show up but don’t do anything during the day. And they can enforce that, you can’t just hire new people to replace those on strike.
Most unions have enough reserves to take Tezzla to court for a while.
And in the worst/best case, a judge could impound things for damages/payment.
The union could literally end up owning the factory if Keto EMu keeps doubling down on it.
Tesla is overtly hostile towards German unions and has convinced enough workers to not join any. They have mostly hired foreign workers who are unaware of their rights. Additionally, workers are pressured to sign documents withdrawing from their right to compensation during sick leave which isn’t illegal.
Also, the state government of Brandenburg - the location of the Tesla factory - would rather see worker’s rights trampled than Tesla face consequences. Their future election results depend on Tesla performing.
Edit to add: As far as I know, Tesla doesn’t need to pay any damages if courts overrule them denying paid sick leave. They must only pay the sick leave and for the worker’s lawyer. Denying sick leave makes them more money in the end.
That’s disheartening to hear. At least Tesla has to sell cars to even stick around and it doesn’t look good for them in Europe so far.
I always forget that in Europe, the government actually pursues fines and penalties levied against companies. Must be nice.