At Tesla’s Giga Berlin plant, over 3,000 of its 11,000 employees have joined forces to sign a petition from the IG Metall union, requesting longer breaks and an increased workforce. This petition will be formally presented at an upcoming works council meeting. The plant, which currently employs around 11,000 workers, reveals a survey indicating 80% satisfaction among its 7,500 participants. Only a mere 5% expressed dissatisfaction.
Recently, Tesla has transitioned 300 temporary workers to permanent roles to support the anticipated production ramp-up for the Model Y in 2025. Nevertheless, an IG Metall representative voiced concerns that this increase in manpower may still be insufficient for the expected demand. This comes amidst Tesla’s upgrades to factories globally as it readies to launch a new redesign, the Model Y “Juniper”.
Meanwhile, analysts are adjusting their expectations, with Wells Fargo cutting Tesla’s price target to $130 and forecasting a first-quarter delivery of 360,000 units, while Goldman Sachs has reduced theirs to 375,000 units. By comparison, Tesla delivered approximately 386,810 units in Q1 2024, down from 422,875 units in the same quarter of the previous year.
Additionally, the “Tesla Takedown” movement is planning to hold 500 protests targeting Tesla stores and Supercharger stations on March 29, in response to criticisms of CEO Elon Musk’s political alignments. The protests aim to express dissent against Musk without resorting to violence, as emphasized by Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
In response to recent violence against Tesla establishments, CEO Elon Musk announced enhanced security measures at showrooms and the use of Sentry Mode to capture vandalism incidents on camera. The intensity of attacks, including vandalism and arson, has sparked debates about domestic terrorism, with Trump condemning these actions.
Despite recent controversies, Giga Berlin is determined to return to optimal production levels. Plant manager André Thierig assures that there are no plans for staff reductions or production halts, highlighting the facility’s importance to both the local economy and broader European supply chain. Thierig emphasized their focus on vehicle production over political affiliations, stating, “We build cars and have never made any political statements.”
Tesla Giga Berlin is facing a robust employee petition for longer breaks and additional staffing amid plans to ramp up Model Y production. With 80% satisfaction reported, the company adapts to worker demands while responding to vandalism incidents with increased security. External pressures from protests against Elon Musk’s political ties add complexity to Tesla’s operations as it strives to maintain its workforce amidst fluctuating sales forecasts.
In summary, Tesla Giga Berlin is experiencing significant worker activism as employees demand better working conditions while the factory anticipates a production boost for the Model Y. Despite external pressures such as vandalism and political controversies surrounding CEO Elon Musk, the plant remains steadfast in its operational goals and commitment to job security. As protests loom and industry forecasts shift, Tesla’s ability to adapt amidst these challenges will be critical.
Original Source: www.teslarati.com
