Tesla factory manager André Thierig (right) finds himself in need of explanation. Image: keystone
Espionage crime at Tesla: Serious allegations shook the German factory in Grünheide. Now investigators have evaluated the crucial evidence. The result leaves the plant manager in need of explanation.
March 30, 2026, 12:33 p.mMarch 30, 2026, 12:33 p.m
Markus Abrahamczyk / t-online
In the Legal dispute between Tesla and IG Metall there is a turning point. The investigative authorities have rejected the accusation of secretly taking pictures against a union representative as unfounded. Tesla factory manager André Thierig had previously claimed that a works council meeting was illegally filmed.
The heated exchange of blows surrounding the Tesla factory in Grünheide has reached a new level. After the Frankfurt (Oder) public prosecutor’s office initiated investigations against both sides, there is now a key result. The espionage accusation against IG Metall has not been confirmed. “All of Tesla’s accusations in this regard are unfounded,” writes the union.
No recordings on confiscated laptop
The investigation was triggered by an incident on February 10th. Plant manager André Thierig accused a trade unionist of secretly recording a meeting on a laptop. Thierig spoke of dozens of witnesses to this violation of the confidentiality of the word. Security staff had led the accused into an adjoining room. The police then arrived.
However, the technical investigation by the Brandenburg authorities now completely exonerates the accused. No video recordings of the meeting in question could be found on the confiscated laptop. IG Metall had always emphasized that it only used the device for a written report.
Union: “All allegations were false”
IG Metall district manager Jan Otto reacts sharply to the developments. Tesla managing director André Thierig launched a smear campaign with “brazen accusations” in order to influence the works council election. IG Metall subsequently lost the election. People close to Tesla still have the majority in the council of employee representatives.
“It is now clear: all the allegations were false,” said Otto. The company management has therefore crossed a red line: “A company cannot make it clearer that it does not accept democracy in the company.”
The employee representatives also drew legal consequences:
- They have filed an injunction against André Thierig before the Frankfurt (Oder) labor court to prohibit him from further disseminating the allegations.
- In addition, IG Metall is officially contesting the results of the works council election due to the incidents. A corresponding lawsuit has already been filed.
The fight over the tariff
The background is the long-standing conflict over working conditions in the only European Tesla factory. While IG Metall is calling for a collective agreement for the approximately 11,000 employees in Grünheide, CEO Elon Musk strictly rejects such agreements.
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