Employees at Tesla’s Grünheide, Germany, factory are pushing for a Christmas bonus of at least €1,500. Representatives from the works council, including the IG Metall faction, are urging company management to distribute the special payment to all personnel.
A campaign involving employees collecting signatures on postcards to underscore their demands has been underway since the beginning of the week, according to reports from company sources cited in Handelsblatt.
The union’s reasoning centers on the high production capacity and increasing targets at the Grünheide location. Recently, factory manager André Thierig communicated to the workforce via email that the Model Y is projected to become Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle in the first half of 2025, prompting a significant increase in production plans for the remainder of the year.
Works council representatives emphasized the consistent dedication of employees, stating they have “delivered what they could – day after day, week after week”. IG Metall regional leader Jan Otto stated that €1,500 is the minimum acceptable bonus, highlighting the company’s financial resources as a result of employee effort.
The works council’s request is also fueled by scrutiny surrounding a planned record compensation package for Tesla’s U.S.-based CEO. Otto voiced criticism regarding the proposed remuneration for CEO Elon Musk. In a previous year, instead of a conventional bonus, the German management awarded employees red socks embroidered with the word “Giga” as a festive offering.