German metalworkers’ union, IG Metall, has urged Tesla to improve staffing conditions at its Berlin-Brandenburg gigafactory ahead of expansion plans.
According to Reuters, the automaker was set to release its expansion proposals, to increase the capacity of its Gruenheide facility to 1m vehicles annually, for public scrutiny later this week.
Plans would be made available online and to Brandenburg residents starting from 19 July.
Residents would have until mid September to submit objections.
The expansion plans, which are expected to add 12,000 jobs, with approximately 11,000 already filled, have nonetheless raised concerns about current staffing conditions.
“We welcome the creation of jobs in the automotive industry in Germany. Tesla’s plans are a clear commitment to Brandenburg as a location,” said IG Metall’s Dirk Schulze.
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By GlobalData“However, this announcement is in stark contrast to what the local employees are currently experiencing. Despite high levels of sick leave, staff are being cut on a considerable scale.”
According to Schulze, in June alone, approximately 200 permanent employees were laid off or signed pay out agreements.
With increasing cuts of temporary workers on top of this, the factory’s weekly production goal of 5,000 cars remained unchanged.
“Prioritising the improvement of working conditions for our colleagues in Gruenheide must be the focus before expanding the plant,” said Schulze.
Tesla did not comment to Reuters.
